
Glass 
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IN THE MATTER OF THE CONTROVERSY BE- 
TWEEN THE SHILOH NATIONAL MILITARY 
PARK COMMISSION AND THE IOWA SHI- 
LOH COMMISSION RELATING TO INSCRIP 
TIONS UPON THE REGIMENTAL MONU- 
MP:NTS OF THE IoTH AND 1(5th IOWA 
VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



liefore the 
lIuyoIiAHLh' s/'X'h't'TA}:)' oF WAR. 



rnOOK AM) AKCa'MKNT PRKSFNTKl) HY 

ALl^ERT B. CUMMINS, Governor of Iowa. 



/ 



IN THE MATTER OF THE CONTROVERSY BE- 
TWEEN THE SHILOH NATIONAL MILITARY 
PARK COMMISSION AND THE IOWA 
SHILOH COMMISSION RELATING TO 
INSCRIPTIONS UPON THE REGI- 
MENTAL MONUMENTS OF THE 
ISTH AND 16TH IOWA VOL- 
UNTEER INFANTRY. 

To the Honorable Secretary of War : 

The controversy to which I have referred in the title has 
been already determined by your Department, and this paper, 
and the evidence submitted therewith, is in the nature of an 
application for rehearing. 

With resi)ect to the 15th Iowa, General F. C. Ainsworth, 
Chief, Record and Pension Office, under date of March 17, 
1903, and with respect to the i6th Iowa under date of March 
28, 1903, filed his reports, substantially denying the claims 
made by these regiments. These reports you have approved. 

Although I transmitted some of the papers connected with 
the former hearing and before doing so had examined them 
carefully, I made no argimient, believing that the proof was 
so clear that you would, without difficulty, reach a conclusion 
in hannony with the recollection of the survivors of these regi- 
ments. I now appear as the Governor of the State which sent 
these regiments into the war, and as the advocate of their offi- 
cers and men, who still live, and especially as the representative 
of the Iowa Shiloh Commission in compliance with the request 



10 



contained in the following resolution, adopted on the 22nd 
day of July. 1903. 

At a meeting of the Iowa Commission for the erection of monu- 
ments on the Battlefield of Shiloh held, at Des Moines, July 22nd. 1903. 
the following resolution was on motion of Mr. Kepler unanimously 
adopted: 

Whereas, at a meeting of this Commission held on the 28th of June. 

1901. the Secretary of the Shiloh National Military Park Commission 
disputed the correctness of the record and history of the 15th and 16th 
Iowa regiments, more especially as to the time these regiments were 
engaged in the Battle of Shiloh. and 

Whereas, at a meeting of this Commission held on the 5th of May, 

1902. the subject was presented to this Commission for its considera- 
tion and determination, and 

Whereas, this Commission after examining the record and history 
of the part taken by said regiments in the Battle of Shiloh and reading 
the affidavits and letters of a large number of the living officers and 
men of said regiments who participated in said battle, and being fully 
advised and satisfied in the premises, passed unanimously the follow- 
ing resolution: 

"Whereas, a controversy has arisen between the Shiloh National 
Military Park Commission and John Hayes and J. W. Carson. Commis- 
sioners for Iowa representing the 16th and 15th Iowa infantry respec- 
tively as to the time of day said regiments engaged the enemy on the 
"Jones Field" April 6. 1862. 

Be It Resolved, that it is the unanimous judgment of this Commis- 
sion after being fully advised and satisfied in the premises from the 
evidence produced by said Commissioners Hayes and Carson to and be- 
fore this Commission, that said evidence is overwhelming and conclu- 
sive that said Iowa regiments engaged the enemy on the "Jones Field" 
in the Battle of Shiloh April 6. 1862. between the hours of ten o'clock 
nnd eleven o'clock a. m. of said day as claimed by said Commissioners 
Hayes and Carson." 

And whereas, the National Commission having been advised o.f this 
action and having been requested by the Commissioners for the regi- 
ments named to consider further evidence substantiating the official 
records, refused to approve inscriptions for the monuments to said regi- 
ments in Shiloh National Military Park which would fix the time the 
commands were engaged as shown by the reports of Col. Hugh T. Reid 
and Col. Alexander Chambers respectively, and 

Whereas, the questions at issue having been submitted to the Sec- 
retary of War for consideration and reports concerning them having 
been prepared by General F. C. A ins worth. Chief of the Record and 
Pension Bureau, bearing the approval of the Secretary of War. and 



3 

Whereas, said reports, among other things, find that said regiments 
were not engaged with the enemy at Shiloh between the hours of ten 
and twelve o'cloclt a. m. April 6. 1862, as appears by official records, 

Now therefore, this Commission after having further examined and 
Inquired into the facts as presented by members of the 15th and 16th 
regiments and having carefully read the reports of Gen. F. C. Ains- 
worth. Chief of the Record and Pension Bureau, have reached the con- 
clusion that the Chief of the Record and Pension Bureau was not fully 
advised in the premises, or did not give the matter in controversy such 
an investigation as its importance demanded and is satisfied that the 
report, in fact, changes and ignores the official reports of the Colonels 
commanding these regiments and if permitted to stand is, and will re- 
main, a manifest injustice to the memory of said regiments and estab- 
lish a dangerous precedent. 

We therefore earnestly and respectfully ask, as the action of this 
Commission, that the Secretary of War reopen the case and that the 
matter be more fully and carefully presented and considered. 

Second, we further respectfully ask that the inscriptions formu- 
lated by the Chief of the Record and Pension Bureau for the 15th and 
16th Iowa Monuments be withdrawn for the following reasons: 

1. They contain incorrect and inappropriate statements for which 
this Commission does not wish to be held responsible. 

(a) The statement on the 15th inscription "by order of General 
Grant it held its position to prevent the enemy from flanking the Land- 
ing" is new matter, not found in either of the inscriptions being con- 
sidered. Though based on Colonel Reid's report, it is not in harmony 
with General Grant's account of the battle and not appropriate here. 

(b) The 15th inscription refers to the location of the monument 
as in a field whereas it is in the timber. 

(c) From the time of the arrival of the 16th regiment until the 
morning of April 6th it remained, or had headquarters on the boat. It 
never had a camp ashore until after the battle. The statement that the 
16th disembarked April 5th is incorrect. 

(d) The statement that the 16th was in position at the right of 
the 15th on the Bluffs "for about an hour" is incorrect. Colonel 
Chambers' report reads as follows: "The line had been formed but a 
short time when I was ordered to march it," etc. 

2. By the ruling of the Chief of the Record and Pension Bureau 
these regiments are denied what has been accorded to other Iowa regi- 
ments (as shown by tablets already placed,) namely, that of departing 
from War Department Records and fixing casualties as certified by the 
Adjutant General of Iowa. 

3. It is very desirable that the bronze tablets on these monuments 
shall be so inscribed that the lettering shall correspond with the letter- 
ing on tablets of other Iowa monuments and thus follow the action of 



this Commission that the monuments "shall be identical in every par- 
ticular." The lengtli of these inscriptions forbids it. 

4. It is desired and asked that the time of engagement of these 
regiments shall be stated as set forth in the reports of the Regimental 
Commanders, Volume 10, War of Rebellion Records. 

The Iowa Commission herewith submit the following inscriptions 
for the monuments of the 15th and 16th regiments respectively, believ- 
ing that the matter therein contained is such as is authorized by the 
Act of Congress and by the Rules promulgated governing the erection 
of monuments in the Shiloh National Military Park and respectfully ask 
that the same be approved and this Commission be authorized to place 
the same on the regimental monuments, to-wit: 

lOVvTA 
* 15TH REGIMENT INFANTRY 

COL. HUGH T. REID (WOUNDED) 

This regiment arrived at Pittsburg Landing at an early hour on 
Sunday morning, April 6th, 1862. Upon landing the men for the first 
time loaded their guns. Between 8 and 9 o'clock a. m., by order of 
General Grant it marched to re-enforce the 1st Division, conducted by 
one of his staff ofBcers. and the Engineer of the 1st Division. While 
marching across an open field, it was fired upon by artillery and musk- 
etry. Under a murderous fire the regiment formed line of battle, ad- 
vanced about 250 yards into the woods, driving the enemy before them, 
and for two hours, from 10 to 12 a. m., maintained its position, until 
outflanked and hard pressed in front to escape capture it was ordered 
by General McClernand, to fall back to a new line. It rallied and 
fought with other divisions later in the day and on Monday. 

Number of men engaged 760. 

CASUALTIES. 

Killed, Line Officers 2, Enlisted men 20 22 

Died of wounds, Enlisted men 20 

Wounded, Field and Staff 3, Line Officers 10, Enlisted men 139 152 

Captured, Line Officers 2, Enlisted men 10 12 

Aggregate 206 

IOWA 

IGTH REGIMENT INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS. 

COMMANDED BY COL. ALEXANDER CHAMBERS. (WOUNDED) 

LT. COL. ADD. H. SANDERS. 

This regiment reached Pittsburg Landing twelve days after its 

organization was completed and on the morning of the battle, Sunday, 

April 6th, 1862, first received ammunition. While preparing to join 

Prentiss' (6th) Division it was ordered in line on the right of the 15th 

Iowa to act as a reserve. When the line had been formed but a short 

time it was ordered to march, following the 15th Iowa, to the right of 



McCIernand's (1st) Division. It was here engaged at 10:30 a. m., here 
suffered its loss and, under orders retired. 

Late in the afternoon, under Lieutenant Colonel Sanders it sup- 
ported Schwartz's batterj- near the Landing. 

On Monday the regiment was on the reserve line. 

Present for duty 785. 

Its loss was: Two officers and 15 men killed; 11 officers and 91 
men wounded; 13 men missing; total 132. 

And this Commission further respectfully asks the Governor of the 
State of Iowa to investigate the facts involved in the reports of F. C. 
Ainsworth, Chief of the Record and Pension Bureau, heretofore referred 
to and if upon investigation he believes, as this Commission believes, 
that said reports are not just to said regiments that he present the mat- 
ter to the Secretary of War and take such other and further steps and 
action as in his judgment may seem best to the end that the 15th and 
16th Iowa regiments shall have inscriptions placed upon the monuments 
to these regiments which shall be in harmony with their official reports. 

Certified as correct 

JOHN HAYES, Secretary. 

I 

In accordance with tlie habit of the profession accustomed 
to trials of fact. I beg to state the point at issue. The 15th 
Regiment Iowa \'olunteer Infantry, fresh from enHstment, ar- 
rived at Pittslnirg Landing early Sunday morning, April 6, 
1862. The 1 6th Iowa Regiment Volunteer Infantry, also a 
new regiment, arrived at Pittsburg Landing sometime during 
the night of .Xpril 4. 1862, disembarking, in part, on April 5th. 
Some time tluriug the morning of April 6th (the first day of 
the Battle of Shiloh) Ijoth these regiments were formed on the 
river bluff and were under orders from General Grant, assign- 
ing them to Prentiss' division. They were both at the Land- 
ing, the 15th under the command of Colonel Hugh T. Reid, 
and the i6th inider the command of Colonel Alexander Cham- 
bers, when the battle of Shiloh began. While in this position 
they Ixith received for the first time ammunition, and loaded 
their guns. Before leaving the bluff they were ordered by Gen- 
eral Grant to march to General McCIernand's right, and an 



aide was detailed to guide them to the place. They were not 
brigaded, and are therefore not mentioned in the general re- 
ports of the battle. Under the order to which I have referred, 
they marched toward the front, and while crossing an open 
field, now known as the Jones field, about one and one-half 
miles from the river, they were fired upon by both artillery and 
musketry. They got into line of battle as quickly as possible 
in the field, or in the adjacent timber, and there fought for 
about two hours. In this engagement the 15th Iowa lost, ac- 
cording to the regimental records, as certified by the Adjutant 
General of the State of Iowa, either killed, wounded or cap- 
tured, 196 men, and according to the records accepted by Gen- 
eral Ainsworth 185 men. The i6th Iowa lost, either killed, 
wounded or captured, according to their regimental records, 
132 men, and according to General Ainsworth. 131 men. Their 
dead were buried in this field, and although they have been 
reinterred in the cemetery, the traces of the trenches are still 
to be observed. Concerning so much of the history of the 15th 
and i6th Iowa upon the first day of the Battle of Shiloh, there 
is no dispute. There have been various differences of opinion 
upon unimportant details which can easily be composed, and 
with respect to which I shall have little to say. The controvert- 
ed point is this: The survivors of these regiments claim, and 
in this they are supported by the Iowa Commission, that their 
fight in and around the Jones field occurred in the forenoon — 
from about ten until about twelve o'clock. The Shiloh National 
Military Park Commission claims, and General Ainsworth has 
so found, that their fight occurred in the afternoon. The sur- 
vivors of the regiments want the time of the engagement in- 
scribed upon the monuments. The inscription which you have 
approved is silent with reference to the time. 



I very respectfully submit that these regiments have a 
right to insist upon the time being mentioned in the inscrip- 
tions, provided a similar right has been accorded to other regi- 
ments. There ought to be no discrimination. The inscrip- 
tions for all the monuments for the Iowa regiments have been 
approved with the exception of the two under discussion, and 
all of them save one contain a report of the time. There are, 
in and around the Jones field, many monuments of regimentn 
of other states, and substantially all of them are specific with 
respect to time. 

So far as I can learn neither the Secretary of War nor the 
National Commission lias ever denied tiie privilege of putting 
upon the monuments the time of tiie engagement until it was 
denied to these Iowa regiments, and I assume that it was 
denied to them only because of the controversy respecting the 
time. Therefore, if I can convince you that these regiments 
did begin tlieir fight in Jones field about ten o'clock in the fore- 
noon of April 6th. I assume that you will grant the same right 
l(r them that has been accorded to so many others. 

The question to he presented is purely one of fact, and while 
1 am deeply mo\ed by the intense feeling which the old veter- 
ans, whose lives are sustained by the memories of the war ex- 
perience. I hope that I can lay the evidence before you with 
laimess and with candor. 

I shall take no pains to distinguish between the two regi- 
ments, inasmuch as it is conceded that they marched from the 
bluff together, entered the Jones field together, and were en- 
gaged at the same time. Let it not be forgotten as we pro- 
ceed that these regiments were not brigaded, and the only offi- 
cial report of what they did and when they did it, is contained 
in the reiwrts of their resjiective colonels. 



Colonel Hugh T. Reid, of the 15th, reported shortly after 
the battle to the Assistant Adjutant General, ist Division, 
Army of the Tennessee, commanded by General McClemand. 
His report is found in Volume 10, Series i, Part i. War of the 
Rebellion Official Records of the Union and Confederate 
Armies, pages 288-290. He says that the regiment arrived at 
Pittsburg Landing on Sunday morning with orders from Gen- 
eral Grant's Headquarters to report to General Prentiss. That 
he did so report in person, and found a heavy fire of artillery 
and musketry had already commenced along his lines. He 
returned to the river to bring up his command. The regiment 
was disembarked, ammunition distributed, and the men for the 
first time loaded their guns. That the regiment formed in line 
of battle on the heights in rear of the landing preparatory to 
advance. At this time an order was received from a member 
of General Grant's stafif directing him to hold the position so 
formed, to check any stragglers returning from the battlefield. 
That Colonel Chambers of the i6th Iowa formed his regiment 
on tiie right of Bouton's battery. That in this position the 
regiment remained for about an hour when an order was re- 
ceived from the engineer of General McClernand's stafif, by 
order of General Grant, for the 15th and i6th Iowa to advance 
some two miles to the support of General McClernand's divi- 
sion. That the advance was made, the isth leading, supported 
by the 1 6th. I now quote from the report: 

"We reached an open field in front of the enemy, who were con- 
cealed in a dense wood and among tents, from which other regiments 
had been driven earlier in the day. Through this field the two regi- 
ments marched under a heavy fire from the enemy's artillery, and took 
position, by direction of General McClernand, near the tents. A regi- 
ment, said to be from Ohio, was on the field when we arrived, or came 
on soon after, and took position on the extreme right of the 16th. The 



15th, which occupied the left, advanced upon the enemy and drove a 
part of them from their concealments among the tents and planted our 
colors in their midst, while the whole left wing of the regiment ad- 
vanced under a murderous fire of shot and shell from the enemy's ar- 
tillery and an incessant flre from the musketry. Our flag staff was shot 
through and our colors riddled with bullets. For two houbs, from 10 
TO 12 o'clock, we maint.\ined gib position, oub men fighting like 
VETERANS. The Undersigned was severely wounded by a musket ball 
through the neck, which knocked him from his horse, paralyzed for a 
time, but, recovering in a short time, remounted and continued in com- 
mand throughout the fight. Fifteen of the 32 commissioned officers who 
went on the field had been killed, wounded or taken prisoners; 22 
officers and men had been killed and 156 wounded. The Ohio regiment 
had left the field. The enemy were attempting to outflank us on the 
right and left. We were unsupported by artillery or any other regi- 
ment except the gallant 16th, which had also suffered severely. It be- 
came necessary for the two regiments to retreat or run the risk of being 
captured, and by order of General McClernand the retreat was made. 
Portions of the regiment rallied, and fought with other divisions later 
in the day and on Monday." 



Colonel Alex. Clianibers. commanding the i6th Iowa, re- 
ported on April 24, 1862. to the Assistant Adjvitant General 
of General McClernand's division, Army of West Tennessee, 
which report is found in the same volume to which I have 
referred, pages 286-287. From this report I quote the fol- 
lowing : 

"Sir: I have the honor to report that on Sunday morning, April 
6, while my regiment was preparing to join General Prentiss' division, 
as was previously ordered, an aide of General Grant ordered my regi- 
ment in line on the right of the 15th Iowa Volunteers, to act as a re- 
serve and prevent stragglers from reaching the river. The line had 
been formed but a short time when I was ordered to march it, following 
the 15th Iowa, to General McClernand's division, whose right was giv- 
ing way. At this time large numbers of men in squads were return- 
ing. Cavalry, infantry, and several batteries of artillery were met on 
the road without being disabled or having lost their horses or expended 
their ammunition. From 9:30, a. m. to 10:30 a. m., the time occupied 
in reaching the battlefield, we met more men returning, of all arms, 
than belonged to the 15th and 16th regiments, but I must say, for the 
credit of the State of Iowa, not one of her quota did I meet. 



10 

"On crossing an open field, beyond which was the position of the 
rebels, two of my command were wounded. My regiment was formed 
on the right of this field in rear of a fence. An aide ordered the regi- 
ment to be formed across this open field, which was raUed by heavy fire 
of musketry and a part of a battery of artillery. I marched the men 
there and ordered them to lie down, when the greater part of the 
enemy's fire passed harmlessly over us. I had. however, several 
wounded here. From this position the regiment was ordered forward 
to the edge of the timber, within close range of the enemy, as many of 
my men were wounded at the same time by both ball and buck-shot. 
The right of the regiment was of very little service, as they were not 
in a position, from the lay of the ground, to fire with much effect, bui 
the left of the regiment became hotly engaged with the enemy, and did 
great execution. For nearly or quite an hour the regiment held its 
ground against a much larger force of the enemy, supported by artil 
lery, when they were compelled to give way to their destructive fire and 
advance or be captured. Word came down the line that a retreat had 
been ordered, but no such order came through me. At this our whole 
line gave way and became mixed up with other regiments. My regi- 
ment was rallied by Lieut. Col. A. H. Sanders to the number of about 
300 and was posted in rear of a battery during the remainder of that 
day and night, during which time those who had become mixed with 
other regiments returned and reformed with those under the lieutenant- 
colonel, I having been wounded and struck by a spent ball in the hip- 
joint, which was very painful and rendered me quite lame." 

As already suggested, these are the only reports contained 
in the records of the war detailing the action of these regiments 
iii the Battle of Shiloh, and, ha\'ing been made by men of the 
highest character and at or near the time of the Ijattle. they 
ought to be accepted, unless overthrown by evidence of greater 
weight. 

I ha\-e not been content, however, to leave these reports 
without the aitl of the sworn recollection of as many of the 
survivors oi the regiments as 1 could readily reach, and for 
your convenience I now copy the affidavits of 

Melville C. Davis. 

C. E. Lanstrum. 

Isaac B. Thatcher. 



II 



Wm. W. Estabrooke. 
Alexander Brown. 
John S. Bosworth. 
J. P. Craig. 
George Dehart. 
Prank H. Jordan. 
Wm. P. L. Muir. 
Marinus Rhynsburger. 
S. Rynearson. 
Charles W. Kitchell. 
Truman Stone. 
Jefferson L. Hockett. 
Hiram Essex. 
E. P. Bye. 
Job Throckmorton. 
O. E. Stewart. 
Jacob Hufifman. 
David Devore. 
Garret M. Hall. 
T. A. H. Cunningham. 
Frederick Christofel. 
Freeman M. Stone. 
James W. Carson. 
Luther B. Thomas. 
W. W. Williams. 
Isaac M. Christy. 
Loren S. Tyler. 
H. C. McArthur. 
Addison H. Sanders. 
J. H. Smith. 
Leo Schumacher. 



Wm. Kissick. 
Martin V. Lott. 
T. W. Summersides. 
William Ruff. 
Robert Alcorn. 
I. C. Mung-er. 
John Hayes. 
W. J. Sawyer. 
Christian Heppe. 
Thomas Myers. 
Lemuel Burns. 
George W. Keckler. 
Hans F. Hartman. 
Benjamin Anderson. 
Sylvanus Fisher. 
Joslin Haver 
Peter Kiene. 
Charles Mehl. 
W. H. Thrift. 
Julius Wiedner. 
August Flechsig. 
Theodore Mikesch. 
John Kline. 
Balthaser Knoepfel. 
Jefferson Gildea. 
Peter Gettert. 
George E. McCosh. 
Chas. \\\ Kepler. 



(MELVILLE C. DAVIS.) 

I, Melville C. Davis, first being duly sworn, depose and say, my age 
is 58 years and my residence and postoffice address is No. 16 Third 
Street, s! E. Washington, D. C. 

Having been requested to state my recollection of the time the 15th 
Iowa Infantry became engaged at the battle of Shiloh, I will state 
briefly: 

On the morning of April 6, 1862, we left the landing between 8 and 
9 o'clock, and about 10 o'clock, surely not later than 10:30, while mov- 
ing in columns of fours across an abandoned field, we were unexpect- 
edly fired upon. Some officer who was unknown to me was guiding us to 
the front, we were not in line of battle, but by columns of fours, band 
in front, and there was heavy firing to our right front and to our left 
front, showing beyond question that we were surprised by a body of 
the enemy that had evidently passed through a gap in the line of our 
army. 

At that time I was a drummer (Co. E) with the band in front. 
We were playing " The Girl I left Behind Me." My memory is good and 
all of our movements that morning from the time we marched off the 
boat until we entered the fight are clear and distinct in my mind. We 
became engaged between 9:45 and 10:30 a. m., and held the position 
we at once doubled-quicked to. at the end of "' Jones field," for at least 
two hours. 

I remained constantly with the regiment until ,Tuly. '64, and know 
there was never any question raised about the time we held the field 
at Shiloh, but it was spoken of as from 10 to 12 o'clock, and that is 
my reqoUection now. 

MELVILLE C. DAVIS. 

(Verified.) 

(C. E. LANSTRUM.) 

Whereas, a controversy has arisen between the National Shiloh 
Commission and 15th and lOth Regiments, Iowa Infantry, as to what 
tme the said regiments engaged the enemy on April 6th, 1862, the first 
day of the Battle of Shiloh, Tenn.. I therefore make the following state- 
ment under oath: 

I was 2d Lieut, of Co. B, 15th Iowa Infantry, and present with my 
company. I know that our regiment marched to the front about 9 
o'clock a. m., and about 10 o'clock a. m. we were fired upon by the 
enemy and we remained in action for near two hours and a half. Private 
Conrad Wentzie of my company was killed during that time, 1st Serg- 
eant Henry Moreland was wounded in head, Private Henry Edmund- 
son was wounded and Private Martin V. B. Barnes. All this occurred 
between the hours of 10 o'clock a. m., and 12 o'clock m. 

C. E. LANSTRUM, 
Lieut, and Capt. Co. B. 15th Iowa Infantry. 

I Verified.) 



14 

(ISAAC B. THATCHER.) 

I, Isaac B. Thatcher, being duly sworn, on my oath declare that I 
was a private soldier of Co. E, 15th Iowa Vol. Inf., also later on Captain 
of Company K, 15th Iowa Vol. Inf. I was present at the battle of Shiloh, 
April 6, 1862, with my company and regiment as a private of Co. E, 15th 
Iowa Infantry. Between 8 and 9 o'clock a. m., of said day, we marched 
under orders hurriedly towards the front, double-quicking a portion of 
the way. 

About 9:45, not later than 10 a. m., while marching in column of 
fours across an open field (now known as Jones' field) we were surpris- 
ingly fired upon by artillery and musketry. This was a surprise, because 
our expectations were being guided by a constant roar on the general 
line of battle further in the front, on the right and left. 

We were at once formed in battle line and charged the enemy, driv- 
ing them from their ambushed position. We maintained our position 
in a constant fight from two to two and a half hours. I was wounded 
about 11 o'clock, but remained in rear of company and regiment until 
they began to fall back, when my brother (a sergeant) came to my aid 
and accompanied me to the Hospital Boat at the landing, which place 
we reached by 12:30, or not later than 1 o'clock p, m. 

I was reared on a farm and think I can measure time very well, and 
especially in day light, and being a participant in the first day's fight 
until wounded, I know the 15th Iowa did its fighting from 10 to 12 
o'clock m., or possibly to 12:30 p. m., of April 6, 1862. 

I. B. THATCHER, 
Late Capt. Co. K, 45th la. Vol. Inf. 

(Verified.) 

(WM. W. ESTABROOKE.) 
Whereas, a controversy has arisen between the National Shiloh 
Commission and the 15th and 16th Regiments, Iowa Infantry, as to the 
time the said regiments engaged the enemy on April 6th, 1862, the first 
day of the battle of Shiloh, Tenn., I therefore make the follo^ving state- 
ment under oath: 

I was Chaplain of the 15th Regiment Iowa Infantry and was con- 
stantly on duty as Surgeon whilst connected with the regiment. Soon 
after the regiment engaged in the battle of Shiloh (no later than 10 
o'clock a. m.) wounded soldiers were brought to the rear to be treated. 
Among the wounded who came was Colonel Chambers of the 16th Iowa, 
"shot through the right arm — fiesh wound." (I quote from a memoranda 
I made on that day and which is now in my possession), whose wound 
I treated myself. I cannot state the exact time I dressed Colonel Cham- 
bers' wound, but I am positive it was 12 o'clock, noon. 

WM. W. ESTABROOKE, 
Late Chaplain 15th Iowa Infantry. 
(Verified.) 



IS 

(ALEXANDER BROWN.) 

State of Iowa: 

ss. 
Van Buren County: 

Alexander Brown, aged 66 years, a resident of Keosauqua, in the 
County and State aforesaid, Ijeing duly sworn, on oath states, that he 
is the identical Alexander Brown who was Sergeant Major of the 15th 
Regiment of Iowa Infantry Volunteers in the service of the United 
States in the war of 1861. That said regiment arrived at Pittsburg 
Landing, Tennessee, about daylight on the morning of Sunday, April 6, 
1862. He was on duty that morning and as soon as the morning report 
was made out the Colonel took it and went to report to General Grant. 
In the meantime the regiment had been disembarked from the boat, 
ammunition had been issued to the men and in connection with the 16th 
Regiment of Iowa Infantry Colonel Chambers had formed in line on the 
bluff above the landing, and as soon as Colonel Reld of the 15th Regi- 
ment returned, or a short time after, we were marched out about two 
miles from the landing, as stated in Colonel Hugh T. Reid's report, 
where we finally took position. In my judgment this could not have 
been later than li) o'clock a. m., the time the Colonel states, and I feel 
very sure we were not there longer than till 12 o'clock, noon, when we 
were ordered, as I afterwards understood, to fall back. .Just as we -xere 
ordered back I was quite severely wounded in the hip. and on that 
account I did not pay as much attention to the time of day we fell back 
as I might otherwise have done, but I feel very confident that the time 
stated in the Colonel's report is correct. 

ALEXANDER BROWN. 

(Verified.) 



(.TOHN S. BOSWORTH.) 

I. .lohn S. Bosworth. being duly sworn, on my oath say: 

I was a member and drummer of Co. K, 15th Iowa Inf., and was 
present with the band, which was at the front of the regiment when 
It entered the battle of Shiloh. Tenn., April 6, 1862. 

Between 8 and 9 o'clock that day my regiment moved from the bluff 
near Pittsburg Landing towards the front. About 10 o'clock, a. m., 
while being led across a field (now known as "Jones' field"), while 
moving in columns of fours, the l>and in front playing, and while still 
considerably back of the battle front (judging from the firing), were 
greatly surprised at being fired upon by artillery and musketry. 

Line of battle was immediately formed and the regiment advanced 
into the woods, where it remained under fire from two to two and a half 
hours. Col. Gibbons, then Assistant Surgeon of our regiment, estab- 



i6. 

Ushed a temporary hospital back of the line a short distance, where I 
assisted in caring for the wounded. 

Between 12 and 1 o'clock Colonel Reid, who had been shot through 
the neck, desired assistance to the river. I went with him to the boat, 
holding him on his horse, which his orderly, Hawley, of Co. H, was 
leading. I helped him off his horse and on to the boat, and I have every 
reason to believe, and I do believe, that it was not later than 1 o'clock 
p. m. when we arrived at the boat near Pittsburg Landing, April 6, 
1862. 

JOHN S. BOSWORTH, 
Co. K, 15th Iowa Infantry. 

(Verified.) 

(J. P. CRAIG.) 

Regarding contention as to time of day the 15th Iowa Infantry 
engaged the enemy in the battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6, 1862, my 
recollection is as follows: 

We arrived at the landing at daylight. Disembarked and formed 
on top of bluff. Received ammunition for the first time. While dis- 
tributing it and instructing the men how to tear open cartridges, load, 
etc., we were ordered to march. 

I have thought over this matter of time much since this contention 
has arisen, time of our arrival, time consumed in disembarking, time 
receiving and distributing ammunition, time when sun rises April 6th, 
5:38. I have talked with men of the 21st Mo. Inft., some of Whose com- 
mand were brought in past us just as we were about to start for the 
front, asking their opinion as to time those wounded reached the land- 
ing. They say they were attacked before sunrise and after a short fight 
were driven from their position and their wounded — not left on the 
field — were taken at once to the landing. In their opinion, must have 
reached the landing about 8 o'clock or not later than 8:30, a. m. This 
corroborates my own remembrance. 

If at any time during the past forty-one years I had been asked, 
what time did your regiment leave the landing for the front, I cer- 
tainly would have answered, between 8 and 9 o'clock, a. m. Now, we 
marched hurriedly at double-quick, when road permitted, and, consider- 
ing the distance from top of bluff to where we struck the enemy, it 
could not have been later than 10 a. m. when we went into action. As 
to time we remained under fire I cannot say positively. I did not con- 
sult watch when ordered to fall back. In our talks together about that 
battle immediately after and during our service, we always counted the 
time as two hours or longer. 

J. P. CRAIG, 
Late Capt. Co. E, 15th Iowa Infantry. 

(Verified.) 



17 

(GEORGE DEHART.) 

State of Iowa 

:ss. 
Van Buren County 

George Dehart, being duly sworn, on oath states that he is the 
identical George Dehart who was a private in the 15th Regiment. Iowa 
Infantry Vols., in the service of the United States in the war of 1861. 
His age is 6G years. He was on duty as a guard on the morning of April 
6, 1862. His company was Co. E, of said regiment. The regiment 
arrived at Pittsburg Landing at about daybreak and, after the men had 
breakfast, about fifty rounds of ammunition were issued to each man, 
or rather that was the order, and then we were formed in line on the 
bluff above the landing and after remaining there a short time were 
marched out about two miles, where we were met by a heavy Are from 
the enemy. While he does not know the exact time we reached the 
front, he is confident that the time was not later than 10 o'clock, the 
time stated in the Colonel's report of the engagement, and he is very 
sure we did not remain there longer than 12 o'clock, noon, when we fell 
back. 

He never heard the statement of the Colonel questioned when he 
was in the army. 

Further deponent says not. 

GEORGE DEHART. 

(Verified.) 

(FRANK H. JORDAN.) 

To Whom It May Concern: 

I certify I was a member of the 15th Iowa Infantry Volunteers, and 
was present at the battle of Shiloh. April 6, 1862, and can certify Colonel 
Reid's report of the part his regiment, the 15th Iowa Infantry Vol- 
unteers, took in said battle as being correct, and it could not have been 
later than 10 a. m. to 12 m. 

FRANK H. JORDAN, 
Co. E, 15th Iowa Infantry. 



(WM. P. L. MUIR.) 



State of Iowa 



Van Buren County 

I, William P. L. Muir. on oath say that I am 05 years of age, that 
I am a resident of Bonaparte, Iowa, that my occupation is that of a 
retired farmer. On or about the 14th day of October, 1861. I enlisted 
as a private in Co. E, 15th Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for the 
war of the rebellion. On April 6, 1862, at about 4:30 o'clock, a. m., I 



landed on the steamer Minnehaha, with my company and regiment, at 
Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. I was then 1st Sergeant of Co. E. About 6 
o'cloclv a. m. occasional bombs of artillery could be heard in the direc- 
tion of Shiloh church. About 8 o'clock a. m, the 15th Iowa disembarked 
and formed on the river bank, where forty rounds ot ammunition was 
distributed to each man. About 8:45 the regiment marched to the top 
of the bluff above the landing and formed line with the 16th Iowa In- 
fantry, across the Pittsburg Landing and Corinth wagon road, with 
orders to stop all stragglers coming from the front, where the battle of 
Shiloh was already under way. While in this position ten additional 
rounds of ammunition and extra rations of " hard tack " was issued to 
each man. About 9:30 a. m. the regiment, 15th Iowa, was ordereS to 
march to the front, starting on the same road we had been guarding. 
While marching by the flank across an open field about 10:30 a. m. the 
regiment was fired upon by the enemy in line on our right in the 
edge of the woods. The 15th Iowa changed front and advanced into the 
woods under fire, where we were hotly engaged for two hours or possibly 
a little longer. After loe were ordered back from our first position and 
had retired a short distance I consulted Captain William T. Cunning- 
ham as to the time of day.. His ivatch shoived it to he 12:55 p. m. I 
give the above dates from my dairy kept clear through the loar. I did 
not carry a watch at tlie lime, but consulted those ^uho did as to time. 

WILLIAM P. L. MUIR. 



(Verified.) 



State of Iowa 



(MARINUS RHYNSBURGER.) 



Sioux County : 

I, Marinus Rhynsburger, being duly sworn, do depose and say: I 
was a member of Company A, 15th Regiment, Iowa Infantry Vol- 
unteers, and was present with my company and regiment at the battle 
of Shiloh, Tennessee, on April 6th, 1862. My regiment arrived at the 
landing about C o'clock a. m.. on April 6th, were unloaded and ordered 
to the front about 9 o'clock a. m, on same day; that on arriving at the 
front, and while marching across an open field we were fired upon by 
the enemy; we marched into the woods, formed line of battle, and drove 
the enemy about three hundred and fifty yards, and through the camp 
of the 11th Illinois Regiment, where our regiment was halted ; this 
position we maintained from about 10 o'clock a. m. until 12 o'clock, 
noon, when, being flanked, we were ordered to fall back to a new posi- 
tion. 

MARINUS RHYNSBURGER. 

(Verified.) 



19 

(S. RYNEARSON.) 

I, S. Rynearson, late Captain Company C, loth Iowa Infantry Vol- 
unteers, being duly sworn, on my oath state: On April 6th, 18G2. during 
the battle of Sbiloh I was a sergeant in Co. C. said regiment, and with 
it in the battle aforesaid. About 8 o'clock a. m.. of that day, my com- 
pany and regiment were ordered to the front. About 10 o'clock a. m., 
while moving across a field by the flank, band in front playing, we were 
flred upon with artillery and musketry. We were greatly surprised at 
this, as the firing in front indicated the front, or fighting line, was con- 
siderable in advance. The regiment formed line of battle, advanced 
into the timber and held the advanced position until after 12 o'clock. 

Just as we entered the field I looked at my watch.. It was It) o'clock. 
I looked at my watch again when we felt back, and it teas 12:10. I make 
this statement under oath from my own personal knowledge.. I wrote 
the same fact home to my father at the time. The loth Iowa Volunteer 
Infantry was engaged in that hattle, April 6, 1862, two hours and ten 
viinutes. From 10 o'clock a. m. until 12:10 p. m. 

S. RYNEARSON, 

Sergeant Co. C, 15th Iowa; Late Capt. same Co. and Regiment. 



(Verified.) 



State of Iowa 



(CHARLES W. KITCHELL.) 



Madison County 

Charles W. Kitchell. being first duly sworn, deposes and states as 
follows: 

That I am a resident of Winterest, Madison County, Iowa, and have 
been a resident of said county twenty-four years. That I have no inter- 
est in making this affidavit other than to furnish proof of the facts 
stated here. That I was a soldier in the Union Army during the War 
of the Rebellion, and a member of Company G. 15th Regiment Iowa Vol 
unteer Infantry. That I enlisted as a private in said company in the 
month of October, 18G1, and was discharged as a first sergeant during 
the month of .July, 1S65. That I was present with my regiment during 
the battle of Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing, on the 6th day of April, 
1862. We landed from the steamboat about 7 o'clock in the morning of 
that day and were formed on line on the bank, and ammunition was 
issued to us. This was the first time that ball cartridge ammunition 
was issued to our regiment, except what was issued to the details on 
guard on the steamer at night during our trip up the river. 

We moved forward as soon as the necessary arrangements were 
completed and met the enemy about two miles from the starting place. 
The fighting began about 10 o'clock a. m., and lasted about one hour, 
when our command received orders to retreat. We reached the river 



20 

again about noon. I had no watch, but distincty remember the time 
of day as nearly as I could estimate it without a timepiece. We came 
in contact with the enemy and the firing began about 10 o'clock, began 
the retreat about an hour later and reached the river about noon. I 
am absolutely certain that the regiment was engaged before noon of 
that day, and did no fighting after noon. 

CHARLES W. KITCHELL. 



(Verified.) 



State of Iowa 



(TRUMAN STONE.) 



:ss. 



Polk County : 

I, Truman Stone, first being duly sworn, depose and say: That I 
was a member of Company G, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, dur- 
ing the Civil War. That on the 6th day of April, 1862, I was with said 
company, on which day the 15th and 16th Iowa Infantry Volunteer Regi- 
ments were ordered from the boats about 8 o'clock and lined up on the 
bank of the Tennessee river awaiting orders. I have a distinct recollec- 
tion of General Grant being present that morning talking to the Colonels 
of the two regiments. A few minutes before 9 o'clock a member of the 
staff of General McClernand reported to General Grant that General 
McClernand would be compelled to retreat unless reinforced. At 9 
o'clock a. m., sharp, the two regiments were ordered by General Grant 
to advance and reinforce General McClernand, and were piloted by the 
member of General McCIernand's staff who brought the report to Gen- 
eral Grant. As to whether or not the regiments reached General Mc- 
CIernand's line I am not able to say, but after advancing about three 
miles we came under the enemy's fire at 10 o'clock and remained there 
for two hours, being ordered back at 12 o'clock by General McClernand. 

TRUMAN STONE. 



(Verified.) 



State of Iowa 



(JEFFERSON L. HOCKETT.) 



County of Polk 

On this 14th day of October, 1903, personally appeared before me, 
a Notary Public, in and for said county and state aforesaid, Jefferson 
L. Hockett, reputable and entitled to credit, who, being duly sworn, 
states that his age is 70 years, and residence Des Moines Iowa. I was 
a member of Co. G, 15th Regiment Iowa Volunteers, and was present 
with company and regiment at the battle of Shiloh on the 6th day of 
April. 1862; the regiment was ordered to the front about 9 o'clock a. m., 
Sunday morning, and while marching in column across an open field 



21. 

was fired upon by the enemy. We then formed line of battle and ad- 
vanced on the enemy and drove them about 350 yards, and through the 
camps of the 11th Illinois Volunteers, which position we maintained 
from 10 o'clock until 12 o'clock, noon, at which time we received orders 
to fall back to a new line or position. 

JEFFERSO.^ L. HOCKETT. 



(Verified.) 



State of Iowa 



(HIRAM ESSEX.5 



County of Marion 

On this 24th day of October, 1903, personally appeared before me, a 
Notary Public in and for said county and state aforesaid, Hiram Essex, 
reputable and entitled to credit, who, being duly sworn, states that his 
age is 66 years, and residence and postoffice address is Knoxville, Iowa. 
That I was a member of Company G, 15th Regiment Iowa Volunteers, 
and was present with company and regiment at the battle of Shiloh 
on the 6th day of April. 1862. The regiment was ordered to the front 
about 9 o'clock Sunday morning and while marching in column across 
the open field was fired upon by the enemy. 

We then formed in line of battle and advanced on the enemy and 
drove them about 350 yards, and through the camps of the 11th Regi- 
ment Illinois Volunteers, which position we maintained from 10 o'clock 
a. m.. until 12 o'clock, noon, at which time we received orders to fall 
back to a new line or position. 



HIRAM ESSEX. 



(Verified.) 



State of Iowa 



(E. P. BYE.) 



Marion County 

On this 17th day of October, 1903. personally appeared before me, a 
Notary Public in and for said county and state aforesaid, Edwin P. Bye, 
reputable and entitled to credit, who, being duly sworn, states that his 
age is Tt! years and residence and postoffice address is Knoxville, Marion 
County. Iowa. That I was a member of Company G, 15th Regiment 
Iowa Volunteers, and was present with company and regiment at the 
battle of Shiloh on the 6th day of April, 1862. The regiment was ordered 
to the front about 9 o'clock Sunday morning, and while marching in 
column across the open field was fired upon by the enemy. We then 
formed line of battle, and advanced on the enemy and drove them about 
350 yards, and through the camps of the 11th Regiment Illinois Vol- 
unteers, which position we maintained from 10 o'clock a. m. until 12 



22 

o'clock, noon, at which time we received orders to fall back to a new 
line or position. 

E. P. BYE, 
Late Capt. Co. G, 15th Iowa. 
(Verified.) 



(.JOB THROCKMORTON.) 

Whereas, a controversy has arisen between the National Shiloh 
Commission and the 15th and Ifith Regiments, Iowa Infantry, as to 
what time said regiments engaged the enemy on the first day of the 
battle of Shiloh. Tenn., April 6, 1S62. 

I therefore make the following statement under oath: I was 2d 
Lieutenant of Co. F, 15th Iowa Infantry, at that time, and was 'on duty 
as Officer of the Day, and left at Pittsburg Landing in charge of the 
camp and garrison equipage of the regiment, with orders to unload the 
boat upon which the regiment had arrived. The regiment marched 
toward the front between 8 and 9 o'clock a. m, of said day, and be- 
tween the hours of 10 (ten) and 11 (eleven) o'clock a. m., of said day, 
a number of the wounded men from our regiment were brought back 
to the boat. 

JOB THROCKMORTON, 
2d Lieut. Co. F, 15th Iowa Inf. Later Cap. Co. F, and Bvt. Maj. U. S. V. 

(Verified.) 



(O. E. STEWART.) 



State of Iowa 



Union County : 

I, O. E. Stewart, being duly sworn, say: That I was a member of 
Company E, 15th Iowa Volunteers, and was present with my company 
and regiment on April 6, 1862, at the battle of Shiloh, and about 9 
o'clock a. m. we received orders to march immediately to the support 
of General McClernand, First Division, and while marching in column 
across an open field we were fired upon by the enemy. We then formed 
line of battle and advanced, driving the enemy in our front and fhrough 
the camps of the 11th Illinois, which position we maintaine3 from 10 
a. m. to 12 o'clock, noon, at which time we were ordered to fall back to a 
new line. 

O. E. STEWART. 

(Verified.) 



23 

(JACOB HUFFMAN.) 

State of Iowa : 

:ss. 
Butler County 

I, Jacob Huffman, being first duly sworn, on oath depose and say 
that I was a private of Company D, 15th Regiment, Iowa Infantry 
Volunteers, in the War of the Rebellion. That I was with my company 
and regiment at the battle of Shiloh. That our regiment arrived by 
boat, at daylight on Sunday morning, the first day of the battle. I was 
a teamster and helped lead Col. Reid's horse from the boat; he was the 
first to land and left the boat to find a place to go into camp. After his 
return to the boat we were landed and formed on the bank of the river 
and guns and ammunition issued to us. We then marched out to the 
battle ground, distant about two and a half miles, to the place called 
"Peach orchard." Our regiment became engaged in the battle at half 
past 9 o'clock in the morning, and were in the fight one and a half 
hours, as near as I can recollect. 

Dated at Green. Iowa. October 6th, 1903. 

his 
JACOB HUFFMAN 

mark 

(Verified.) 



(DAVID DEVORE.) 



State of Iowa 



ss. 



County of Polk 

On this 15th day of October, 1903, personally appeared before me, a 
Notary Public in and for said county and state aforesaid, David Devore, 
reputable and entitled to credit, who, being duly sworn, states that his 
age is G3 years and residence 142 East Walnut street, Des Moines, Iowa. 
I was a member of Co. C, 15th Regiment Iowa Volunteers, and was 
present with company and regiment at the battle of Shiloh. on the 6th 
day of April, lSfi2; the regiment was ordered to the front about 9 o'clock 
a. m., Sunday morning, and, while marching in column across an open 
field, was fired upon by the enemy. We then formed line of battle, and 
advanced on the enemy and drove them about 350 yards, and through 
the camps of the 11th Illinois Volunteers, which position we main- 
tained from 10 o'clock a m. until 12 o'clock, noon, at which time we 
received orders to fall back to a new line, or position. 

DAVID DEVORE. 
Late Prl. Co. C, 15th Reg't. Inf. Vols. 

(Verified.) 



24 

(GARRET M. HALL.) 



State of Iowa 



County of Polk : 

On this 14th day of October. 1903, personally appeared before me, a 
Notary Public In and for said county and state aforesaid. Garret M. 
Hall, reputable and entitled to credit, who. being duly sworn, states 
that his age is 60 years, and residence 614 Lyon Street, Des Moines, 
Iowa. 

I was a member of Company I, Fifteenth Regiment Iowa Vols., and 
was present with company and regiment at the battle of Shiloh on the 
6th day of April, 1862; the regiment was ordered to the front about 9 
o'clock a. m., Sunday morning, and, while marching in column across 
an open field, was fired upon by the enemy. We then formed line of 
battle and advanced on the enemy and drove them about 350 yards, and 
through the camps of the Eleventh Regiment Illinois Vols., which posi- 
tion we maintained from 10 o'clock a. m. until 12 o'clock, noon, at which 
time we received orders to fall back to a new line, or position. 

GARRET M. HALL. 

(Verified.) 



(T. A. H. CUNNINGHAM.) 



State of Iowa 



County of Marion 

On this 23rd day of October, 1903, personally appeared before me, 
a Notary Public in and for said county and state aforesaid, T. A. H. 
Cunningham, reputable and entitled to credit, who. being duly sworn, 
states that his age is 61 years, and residence and postoffice address Is 
Knoxville, Iowa. That I was a member of Company K, Fifteenth Regi- 
ment Iowa Vols., and was present with company and regiment at the 
battle of Shiloh on the 6th day of April, 1862. The reginient was 
ordered to the front about 9 o'clock Sunday morning, and, while march- 
ing in column across the open field, was fired upon by the enemy. 

We then formed line of battle and advanced on the enemy and 
drove them about 350 yards, and through the camps of the Eleventh 
Regiment Illinois Vols., which position we maintained from 10 o'clock 
a. m. until 12 o'clock, noon, at which time we received orders to fall 
back to a new line or position. 

T. A. H. CUNNINGHAM. 

(Verified.) 



2S 



(FREDERICK CHRISTOFEL.) 



State of Iowa 



Marion County 

On this 17th day of October, 1903, personally appeared before me, 
a Notary Public in and for said county and state aforesaid. Frederick 
Christotel, reputable and entitled to credit, who, being duly sworn, 
states that his age is 71 years, and residence and postoflBce address is 
Knoxville, Marion County. Iowa. That I was a member of Company K, 
Fifteenth Regiment Iowa Vols., and was present with company and regi- 
ment at the battle of Shiloh on the 6th day of April, 1862. The regi- 
ment was ordered to the front about 9 o'clock Sunday morning, and, 
while marching in column across the open field, was fired upon by the 
enemy. 

We then formed line of battle, and advanced on the enemy and 
drove them about 350 yards, and through the camps of the Eleventh 
Regiment Illinois Vols., which position we maintained from 10 o'clock 
a. m. until 12 o'clock, noon, at which time we received orders to fall 
back to a new line or position. 

FREDERICK CHRISTOFEL, 
Late 1st Lieut. Co. K, 15th Vol. Infty. 

(Verified.) 



(FREEMAN M. STONE.) 



State of Iowa 



Marion County 

On this 17th day of October, 1903, personally appeared before me, 
a notary Public in and for said county and state aforesaid, F. M. Stone, 
reputable and entitled to credit, who, being duly sworn, states that his 
age is 62 years, and residence and postoffice address is Knoxville, Marion 
County, Iowa. That I was a member of Company K, Fifteenth Regiment 
Iowa Vols., and was present with company and regiment af the battle 
of Shiloh, on the 6th day of April 1862. The regiment was ordered to 
the front about 9 o'clock Sunday morning, and, while marching in 
column across the open field, was fired upon by the enemy. 

We then formed line of battle, and advanced on the enemy and 
drove them about 350 yards, and through the camps of the Eleventh 
Regiment Illinois Vols., which position we maintained from 10 o'clock 
a. m. until 12 o'clock, noon, at which time we received orders to fall 
back to a new line, or position. 

FREEMAN M. STONE, 

(Verified.) 



26 
(JAMES W. CARSON.) 



State of Iowa 



Clarke County 

I. James W. Carson, first being duly sworn, on my oath depose and 
say tliat I was a member of Co. 1, 15th Iowa Volunteers, and was pres 
ent with company and regiment at the battle of Shiloh on April 6th 
and 7th, 1862. The regiment was ordered to the front about 9 o'clock 
a. m., Sunday morning, and, while marching across an open field, was 
flred upon by the enemy. We then formed line of battle, advanced on 
the enemy and drove them about 350 yards, and through the camps of 
the 11th Illinois, which position we held from 10 o'clock a. m. until 
12 o'clock, noon, at which time we received orders to fall back to a 
new line. 

JAMES W. CARSON. 
Present Commissioner of 15th Iowa for Iowa Monuments on the Battle- 
field of Shiloh. 



(Verified.) 



State of Nebraska 



(LUTHER B. THOMAS.) 



ss. 



Gosper County 

I. L. B. Thomas, being duly sworn, depose and say: 
That I was a member of Co. I, 15th Iowa Volunteers, and was 
present v.'ith my company and regiment on April 6th and 7th, 1862, at 
the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, and that company and regiment were 
ordered to the front about 9 o'clock a. m., to the support of General Mc- 
Clernand, First Division, and, while marching in column across an open 
field, was fired upon by the enemy. Marched into woods and formed 
line of battle, advanced about 300 yards, driving the enemy in our front 
and through the camps of the 11th Illinois Regiment to a position on 
the crest of the ridge and at a road running north and south. This 
position we held from 10 o'clock a. m. until 12 o'clock, nooli, when we 
received orders to fall back to a new line. 

LUTHER B. THOMAS. 
(Verified.) 

(W. W. WILLIAMS.) 
State of Iowa 

•Clarke County 

I, W. W. Williams, first being duly sworn, on my oath depose and 
say that I was a member of Co. I, 15th Iowa Volunteers, and was pres- 
ent with company and regiment at the battle of Shiloh on 4^pril 6th and 
7th, 1862. The regiment was ordered to the front about 9 o'clocTi a. m., 



27 

Sunday moiniiiK. anrl, while marching in column across an open field, 
was fired upon by the enemy. We then formed line of battle, advanced 
on the enemy and drove them about 350 yards, and through the camps 
of the 11th Illinois, which position we held from 10 o'clock a. m. until 
12 o'clock noon, at which time we were ordered to fall back to a new 
line. 

W. W. ■WILLIAMS. 

I was Corporal at that lime and late 2nd Lieut. Co. I, 15th Iowa. 

(Verified.) 

ISAAC M. CHRISTY.) 

I, Isaac M, Christy, being duly sworn, do say: 

1 was a member of Company I, 15th Regiment Iowa Infantry Volun- 
teers, and was present with my company and regiment at the battle of 
Shiloh, Tennessee, on April 6th and 7th, 1862. 

My regiment arrived at the Landing about G o'clock a. m., on April 
6th. were unloaded and ordered to the front about 8:30 to 9 o'clock a. 
ra. That arriving at the front, and while marching across an open 
field, we were fired upon by the enemy. We marched into the woods 
and formed line of battle and drove the rebels about 350 yards, and 
through the camp of the 11th Illinois Regiment, where our regiraent 
was halted. This position we held from about 10 o'clock a. m, until 12 
to 12:30 o'clock p, m., when, being flanked, we were ordered to fall 
back to a new position. 

ISAAC M. CHRISTY. 

(Verified.) 

(LOREN S. TYLER.) 

Whereas, a controversy has arisen between the National Shiloh 
Commission and the 15th and 16th Regiments, Iowa Infantry, as to 
what time the said regiments engaged the enemy on April 6, 1S62, the 
first day of the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee. 

I therefore make the following statement under oath: I was a 
musician of Co. H, 15th Iowa Infantry, present with the regiment when, 
by orders, between S and 9 o'clock a. m., it marched frooj the bluffs 
above Pittsburg Landing towards the front. Without a halt the com- 
mand reached an open field, not over two miles from the Landing, I 
was with the band directly following Col, H. T, Reid, Adjt. George 
Poniutz and a staff officer guiding the column towards the firing some 
distance to the front. When the above officers had reached^ the farther 
end of the field, which was surrounded by thick woods and underbrush, 
the enemy opened fire with artillery and musketry upon the 15th Iowa 
Infantry. Not a skirmisher was in front of our regiment, not a single 
shot was fired, until the enemy opened with both artillery and musketry 



28 

and the action in which the 15th and 16th Iowa fought unsupported hy 
any other troops began, because the 15th Iowa had been led into am- 
bush. 

The 15th Iowa formed line of battle and advanced through the 
woods, driving a portion of the enemy before them and held their 
ground for two hours or more, until, to avoid being captured, they were 
ordered to fall back. With other members of the band I was engaged 
in assisting the wounded back to the primary hospital, where Assistant 
Surgeon Gibbon was engaged in attending the wounded. I distinctly 
remember hearing Adjt. Pomutz, who was severely wounded in the 
thigh, towards the close of the fight say, as we reached the primary 
hospital, which was between 200 and 300 yards in the rgar of our line, 
that it was then after 12 o'clock. 

Col. H. T. Reid, in his report dated April 9, 1862, says: "For two 
hours, from 10 to 12 o'clock, we maintained our position." I served 
the 15th Iowa Infantry from December 21, 1861, to August 5, 1865, and 
knew personally hundreds of men of that regiment, and compiled the 
history of our regiment in 1885-6, and I feel positive that I have had 
a much lar.ger correspondence with the survivors of the 15th Iowa than 
any other man living. Not one of them have I ever heard say a word 
contradicting the time Col. Reid reports his regiment was in action, 
but, on the contrary, several of our line officers state emphatically that 
the 15th Iowa fought until 12:30 o'clock p. m. For thirty-nine years 
Col. Hugh T. Reid has believed in it sincerely, and there is not a 
shadow of a doubt why they should not. 

In 1901, Secretary D. W. Reed, of the Shiloh National Commission, 
wrote to Col. Cadle, Chairman of that Comrai-ssion (a copy of which Col. 
Cadle sent to me), saying: "There has been no disposition to ignore 
Colonel Reid's report. In fact, it has been accepted and full credence 
given to every statement except that in which he says: "For two 
hours, from 10 to 12 o'clock, we maintained our position." Tiis state- 
ment shows on its face that it is only approximating the time. No evi- 
dence that he consulted his watch, but rather that it was his recollec- 
tion of the time as it came to him when writing his report." The entire 
contention of the Shiloh National Commission is: That Col. H. T. Reid 
approximated his 10 to 12 o'clock. The Secretary of that Commission 
says plainly: " In fact, it (Col. Reid's report) has been accepted and 
full credence given to every statement except that one." 

I. L. S. Tyler, have personally examined Vol. 10. Official Records 
of the War of the Rebellion, in which are the reports of fifty-seven 
Union Officers, being nearly all that made reports of the part their com- 
mands took in the battle of Shiloh. 

The fifty-seven reports include all the Division, Brigade, Regimental 
and Battery Commander's reports. And whenever and > wherever any- 
one, and everyone of the above fifty-seven Union Commanders men- 



29 

tioned the time of day. each and everyone of them approximated the 
time they stated. And every time it plainly " shows on its face " that 
they did approximate the time. Not one of the fifty-seven officers pre- 
sent any evidence that he consulted his watch! Not one of the fifty- 
seven officers in any way. shape, form or manner, mentions a watch. 

Hence, the Shiloh National Commission had no foundation to build 
any contention upon whatever against the 15th and 16th Iowa Infantry. 

LOREN S. TYLER, 
Late Musician H Co., 15th Iowa Infantry, and Compiler of the History 

of the 15th Iowa Veteran Infantry. 

(Verified.) 

(H. C. M'ARTHUR.) 

I, H. C. McArthur, late 1st Lieut. Co. H, 15th Iowa Vol. Infantry, 
Brevet Captain and Major U. S. V.. being duly sworn, state: I was a 
Sergeant in Co. K of the 15th Iowa Volunteer Infantry at the time of 
the battle of Shiloh, April (i, 1SG2, and was with my company and regi- 
ment during the battle. 

Between 8 and 9 o'clock a. m.. April G, 1862, the regiment marched 
towards the front. About 10 o'clock a. m., while hurrying to the front 
of the battle line (which, from the sound of the firing, seemed a con- 
siderable distance off), we were surprised, ambushed, by a Confederate 
force which opened upon us with artillery and musketry, •'he regi- 
ment was changed from flank ^ line of battle, advanced into the woods, 
driving the enemy from among some tents in our front. This advanced 
position was held for two to two and a half hours — from 10 to 12 or 
12:30 p. m. 

H. C. M'ARTHUR, 
Sergeant Co. K. 15th Iowa Vol. Inf. Late 1st Lieut. Co. H. same Reg't., 

and Brevet Capt. and Major U. S. V. 

(Verified.) 

ADDISON H. SANDERS. 

Understanding that a controversy has arisen relating.to the time 
at which the 15th and 16th Iowa Regiments first engaged the enemy at 
the battle of Shiloh. April 6. 1862. I desire to make this statement: 

I was Lieut. Colonel of the 16th Regiment during the battle, and 
when its colonel, Alexander Chambers, was wounded, I took command. 

Our regiment arrived at Pittsburg Landing on the evening of April 
5th. and remained on the boat during the night. On the morning of 
the 6th the regiment went ashore, the battle opened and the regiment 
for the first time received ammunition. Although it had been assigned 
to Prentiss' Division, the emergencies of the case were such that it was 
ordered and conducted (in conjunction with the 15th Iowa Regiment) 



30 

to McClernaud's Division. In approaching the position where the regi-. 
ment fought it entered an open field which, I am informed, is now 
linown as Jones' Field. While crossing the field it was fired upon and 
shortly engaged the enemy. 

I have always had a distinct recollection of this event, my first 
introduction to battle. The time was at or about 10 a. m., Sunday, April 
6, 1862, in no event was it later than 10:30. 

ADDISON H. SANDERS, 
Lieut.-Col. 16th Iowa Vol. Inf. 



(Verified.) 



State of Iowa 



(J. H. SMITH.) 



Clinton County 

J. H. Smith, being first duly sworn, upon his oath says he was 
Captain of Company A, 16th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, at the 
time of the Battle of Shiloh. The 16th Iowa disembarked at Pittsburg 
Landing on the morning of April 6th (having arrived there on Arpil 
5th, or on the evening of April 4th) and were formed into line and 
ammunition distributed. Soon after we were ordered into action and 
some time between 10 and 11 o'clock a. m. of April 6th, my company 
came under fire of the enemy. My company was in front at the time 
and we were marching by the right flank. While so marcTiing I had 
four men seriously wounded, one losing a leg and another an arm and 
none of the four were ever on duty afterwards. I could distinctly see 
the battery that was firing on us and at that time there were no troops 
in front of us that I could see, except the enemy. We iminediately 
formed in line of battle and I directed my company to fire on that bat- 
tery, which they did and we had it completely silenced so that it caused 
no more trouble. During the engagement I had four men lulled before 
we were obliged to retire There were no other troops near us aside from 
the 15th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry that I could see, except the 
enemy. I unhesitatingly declare that this engagement took place be- 
tween 10 and 11 o'clock Sunday morning, April 6th, and that we held 
our places in what is known as the Jones' Field and in the timber 
adjacent to it, for more than an hour. 

J. H. SMITH. 

(Verified.) 

(LEO SCHUMACHER.) 

State of Iowa : 

:s8. 
Scott County : 

Leo Schumacher, being first duly sworn, upon his oath says: 
That he was 2nd Lieut, of Company G, 16th Iowa Infantry Volun- 
teers, and was in the battle of Shiloh. I can give the correct time when 



31 

ice icent into action on Sunday morning. April Oth, as I have a recorcti 
of every day's doings of my company and regiment. The 16th Iowa 
went into battle at 10 a. m., and about 12. m.. the regiment was forced 
to retire. At .i p. m. the regiment was again in battle, supporting 
Schwartz's battery, until about 6 p. m., when fighting stopped for that 
day. / know these things to be true, not only because of my memory, 
but because I kept a record of them. 

LEO. SCHUMACHER. 
Late 2nd Lieut, and Capt. Company G. 
(Verified.) 

At the battle of Shiloh I was 2nd Lieut. Our Captain, .John Ruehl, 
was killed and 1st Lieut. Henry Meyer severely wounded. Twenty-one 
non-com. oflicers and men of the company were killed and wounded in 
less than an hour, so I took command of the company, being soon pro- 
moted to Captain. 

LEO SCHUMACHER, 
Late Capt. Co. G, 16th Iowa Infantry Voy. 



(WILLIAM KISSICK.) 



State of Iowa 



Mahaska County : 

William Kissick. being first duly sworn, says: That he was a mem- 
ber of Company C, 16th Iowa Volunteers, at the battle of Shiloh. and 
that he was subsequently its captain. 

On the morning of April 6, 1862, the 16th Regiment was formed on 
the bluffs at Pittsburg Landing and under Colonel Chambers' orders 
marched probably a quarter of a mile, where we were halted and the 
Colonel rode down the line, in the rear, and gave the file closers their 
orders, which were to the effect that their duty was to keep their men 
in ranks and if any man attempted to run while in action they were to 
shoot him. I will never forget this order. As soon as he had ridden 
the entire line he came to the head of the regiment and we were 
started for the battlefield. We reachd the open field, now known as 
Jones' Field, between 10 and 11 o'clock a. m., and, while crossing the 
field, were fired upon and went at once into action. I cannot possibly 
be mistaken about the time, because this engagement is impressed Jipon 
my memory more sharply, probably, than any thing that has occurred 
in my life. 

WILLIAM KISSICK. 

(Verified.) 



32 
(MARTIN V. LOTT.) 



State of Iowa 



ss. 



Blaokhawk County 

Martin V. Lott, being first duly sworn, says: Tliat lie was a mem- 
ber of Company I, IGth Regiment, Iowa Volunteers, at the battle of 
Shiloh, and was subsequently its captain. 

Between 8 and 9 o'clock on the morning of April 6, 1862, we 
marched away from Pittsburg Landing, after having received our 
ammunition. Toward the front, and on the way out, we met scores of 
men going to the rear with the report that all was lost. I am positive 
that we received our first fire not later than 10 : 30 o'clock on that morn- 
ing in what is now known as the Jones Field, and we held our positions 
there or about the edges of the field, for between one and two hours. 
I cannot be mistaken about this time, for the stirring eventg that occur- 
red on April 6 and 7, 1862, are not easily effaced from one's memory. 

MARTIN V. LOTT. 



( Verified. ) 



State of Iowa 



(T. W. SUMMERSIDES.) 



ss. 



Delaware County 

T. W. Summersides, being first duly sworn, upon his oath says: 
That he was a member of Company H, 16th Regiment of Iowa Vol- 
unteers, at the battle of Shiloh, and was subsequently its captain. 

My recollection is, and I am very positive about it, that it was not 
later than 10:30 a. m., April 6, 1862, that the 16th Iowa, while crossing 
what is now known as Jones Field, was met by the enemy and went 
into action and continued to fight there for an hour or more. I cannot, 
of course, tell the exact moment, but it was between 10 and 11 o'clock 
in the morning. 

T. W. SUMMERSIDES. 



(Verified.) 



State of Illinois 



(WILLIAM RUFF.) 



:ss. 



Cook County : 

William Ruff, being first duly sworn, upon his oath deposes and 
says: 

That he was formerly Captain of Company G, 16th Iowa Volunteers, 
and was a member of said company at the battle of Shiloh. 

Our regiment entered the battle on the morning of April 6, 1862, 
not later than 10:30. All the circumstances preceding the event — our 



33 

first arrival at Shiloh, hearing of the battle and the sound of guns in 
early morn, the coming in of the wounded, the eagerness peculiar to 
the buoyancy of youth (I was but fifteen) filled me with a longing to 
get into the fray, little dreaming what an awful thing a battle was — 
are indelibly impressed upon my mind, and the time of our engage- 
ment is clear in my memory. 

WILLIAM RUFF. 
(Verified.) 



(ROBERT ALCORN.) 

Territory of Oklahoma : 

:ss. 
Day County 

Robert Alcorn, being duly sworn, on oath says: 

That he was First Lieutenant of Company D, 16th Iowa Volunteers, 
during the battle of Shiloh. 

On the morning of April 6, 1862, I was on duty as officer of the 
day at Pittsburg Landing. When the regiment was ordered to the front 
I changed places with my captain (Crandall W. Williams), by permis- 
sion of Colonel Chambers, and thereupon joined my compafly and took 
command. The regiment marched in a south or southwest direction 
about a mile and a half, there entered an open field, now known as 
Jones Field, and received its baptism of fire from a battery stationed 
in the timber beyond. We continued across this field, losing some mon 
from shots from this battery. The regiment formed in line, Companies 
A, F and D in the timber, the other seven companies in the field. Then 
an officer, said to have been an aide to General McClernand, ordered 
Colonel Chambers to change our position, advance and take the battery. 
A new line was formed and an attempt made to execute the order, but 
the artillery and musketry fire was so heavy that it was almost impos- 
sible for us to advance. Reaching a line of tents in the edge of the 
timber, a halt was made and the regiment then had opportunity, for 
the first time, to use their guns. We remained in this position over 
an hour. During this time the enemy could be seen moving across our 
front from left to right and as the 16th was at the extreme right of out 
line without any protection whatever, it was patent to everyone that 
we were being flanked. The matter was explained to several officers, 
among them Captain Dayton of General Sherman's staff, but the reply 
was that there were no troops available to meet the movement of the 
enemy and that we must do the best we could. While in this position, 
and while I was talking to Colonel Chambers about our, position, the 
storm struck from the timber on our right. Colonel Chambers was 
wounded, some one shouted "Let us get out of here" — and we got out, 
not standing on the order of our going. 



34 

We went into action at the line of tents not later than 11 a. m. We 
had already been under fire at least half an hour without using our 
guns, and it was not later than 10:30 a. m. when our regiment was 
first fired upon in the open field. 

(Verified.) 

ROBERT ALCDRN. 



(I. C. HUNGER.) 



State of Iowa 



Blackhawk County 

I. C. Munger. being first duly sworn, upon his oath says: 

That he was a member of Company I, 16th Iowa Volunteers, at the 

time of the battle of Shiloh, and was subsequently its first lieutenant. 
The regiment was first engaged in an open field, now known as 

Jones Field, and it was not one minute later than 10:30 a. m., April G, 

1862. Our second stand was made before 12 o'clock. We had no camp 

at Shiloh until after the battle. 



I, C. MUNGER. 



(Verified.) 

(JOHN HAYES.) 



State of Iowa 



ss. 



Montgomery County 

John Hayes, being duly sworn, on oath says: 

That he was orderly sergeant. Company C, 16th Iowa Volunteers at 
the battle of Shiloh. 

When the battle opened on the morning of April 6, 1862, our regi- 
ment was at Pittsburg Landing, disembarking from the boat which had 
brought us from St. Louis. As soon as it was evident that there was a 
fight on hand we were formed on the bluff overlooking the Landing. 
For the first time we received ammunition and were given instruction 
in loading our guns. We were then conducted about a mile and a half 
through timber, the 15th Iowa preceding us, and entered a clearing, 
which is now known as Jones' Field. Advancing across this field, march- 
ing by the right flank (columns of fours) we were fired upon by artil- 
lery and here lost several men. We halted for a brief time and ajain 
advanced under fire of both musketry and a battery in the timber at 
our front. Coming close to the timber the regiment was ordered " On 
the right by file into line." This order, under the circumstances, proved 
to be a mistake, and a new formation was made directly fronting the 
enemy. During these maneuvers, wholly unprotected from the enemy's 
guns, we had strict orders not to fire, and some little time intervened 
between the enemy's first fire on us and our first fire upon the enemy. 



35 

We received the first shot about 10 o'clock; it might have been 10:30 a. 
m., but not later, when we first discharged our guns. The 15th Regi- 
ment, which preceeded us, was on our left. We had no support on our 
right, and there were no other troops in sight except the enemy. I 
cannot be mistaken as to the time I give of this engagement. It was 
the most momentous event of my life and I know that it transpired as 
herein stated. 

At the time of the battle the location was strange to me. Two days 
afterwards I was there again in charge of a detail to bury our dead. I 
then learned that the 11th and ISth Iowa Regiments vv'ere in camp 
before the battle at this side of this field. Subsequently in visits to the 
battlefield I have seen the place. It is now known as Jones Field. 

JOHN HAYES. 

(Verified.) 

(W. J. SAWYER.) 

State of Iowa 

:ss 
Adams County : v j,^ 

W. J. Sawyer, being first duly sworn, upon his oath says: 
That he was orderly sergeant of Company F, 16th Iowa Infantry 
Volunteers, at the battle of Shiloh. The 16th Iowa left the bluffs at 
Pittsburg Landing about 9 o'clock a. m., and not later than 10:30 a. m. 
W^as actively engaged with the enemy on what is now known as Jones 
Field. I know this to be true because I was wounded in the right arm 
in that engagement at that place and was sent back to the Landing. I 
reported on the hospital boat, had the bullet taken from my arm and the 
wound dressed before 1:30 p. m. of that day. 

W. J. SAWYER. 



(Verified.) 



State of Iowa 



(CHRISTIAN HEPPE.) 



Muscatine County 

Christian Heppe, being first duly sworn, on oath says: 
That he was a member of Company F, 16th Iowa Volunteers, and 
was at the battle of Shiloh. 

My recollection is that our regiment arrived at Pittsburg Landing 
April 5th and stayed on the boat until the next morning. Having friends 
In the 11th Iowa I went out to their camp early on the morning of the 
6th. While there the long roll beat and I returned to my regiment at 
the Landing. Soon after reaching the Landing we were ordered out 
to the front and led to the camp of the 11th which I had visited — an 
open field (which I understand is now known as Jones Field), where 



36 



we were engaged with the enemy. I had no watch at the time, but it 
was between 10 and 11 o'clock a. m., April 6, 1862. 

CHRISTIAN HEPPE. 



(Verified.) 



State of Iowa 



(THOMAS MYERS.) 



Boone County 

Thomas Myers, being fir.st duly sworn, says: 

That he was a member of Company D, 16th Iowa Volunteers, and 
was at the battle of Shiloh. 

Our regiment marched to the front between 9 and 10 o'clock of 
the morning of April 6, 1862, By 10 o'clock we had reached the fighting 
line and shortly thereafter became engaged. 

My recollection of the battle is very distinct, having there been' 
wounded. 

THOMAS MYERS. 



(Verified.! 



State of Iowa 



(LEMUEL BURNS..) 



ss. 



Woodbury County 

Lemuel Burns, being first duly sworn, says: 

That he was a member of Company H, 16th Iowa Volunteers, and 
was at the battle of Shiloh. 

/ loas ivounded in this battle at about 10:30 a. m., April 6. ISG.i. and 
have a very distinct recollection of events. We reached a field which 
I understand is now known as Jones Field, not later than 10 a. m., and 
were engaged shortly thereafter. 

LEMUEL BURNS. 



(Verified.) 



State of Iowa 



(GEORGE W. KECKLER.) 



Muscatine County : 

Geo. W. Keckler, being duly sworn, says: 

That he was a member of Company C, of the 16th Iowa Infantry 
Volunteers, and was in the Battle of Shiloh. That on the morning of 
April 6th I was engaged in drilling a part of Company C of the 16th 
Iowa in the manual of loading, at Pittsburg Landing. I was so engaged 
when the Captain ordered the company brought in, for the regiment 



37 

was ordered to go into battle. I know that the 16th was in the battle 
on what is now known as the Jones Field, not later than half past 10 
o'clock a. ni. on that day, and I know that it supported Schwartz's bat- 
tery in the afternoon. 

GEORGE W. KECKLER. 
(Verified.) 



(HANS P. HARTMAN.) 



State of Illinois 



Rock Island Counly 

Hans F. Hartman, being first duly sworn, upon his oath says: 
That he was a member of Company B, 16th Iowa Volunteers, and 

was at the battle of Shiloh. 

Our regiment left the boat early in the morning of April 6th, 1862, 

received ammunition, formed and marched to the battlefield. We were 

engaged with the enemy between the hours of 9 and 11 a. m., to the best 

of my knowledge and belief. 

HANS F. HARTMAN. 



(Verified.) 



State of Iowa 



(BENJAMIN ANDERSON.) 



Scott County 

Benjamin Anderson, being first duly sworn, on oath says: 

That he was a member of Company D, IGth Iowa Volunteers, and 
was at the battle of Shiloh. 

On the morning of April 6, 1862, our regiment formed in line at 
Pittsburg Landing. Then we received ammunition for the first time 
and half of us did not know how to load our guns. The battle had com- 
menced and we were marched out some distance through the timber; 
then went into an open field and were engaged. 

1 am positive that all this transpired in the mor>ilng. but cannot 
give the exact hour. 

BENJAMIN ANDERSON. 



(Verified.) 



State of Iowa 



(SYLVANUS FISHER.) 



Muscatine County 

Sylvanus Fisher, being first duly sworn, on oath says: 

That he was a member. of Company C, 16th Iowa Volunteers, and 

was at the battle of Shiloh. Our regiment formed and went to the front 



38 

in the moruing. I am sure of this. One of the incidents I remember 
is that in the hurry I lost my breakfast. It is my belief that we were 
first in the fight not later than 10 a. m., April 6, 1862, and my recollec- 
tion concerning it is very distinct. 

SYLVANUS FISHER. 
(Verified.) 



(JOSLIN HAVER.) 



State of Iowa 



Cass County 

Joslin Haver, being first duly sworn, on oath says: 

That he was a member of Company C, 16th Iowa Volupteers, and 
was at the battle of Shiloh. 

My recollection is that about 9 a. m. our regiment left the Landing, 
started for the field, double-quicked a part of the way, and on reaching 
an open field, which I am informed is now known as Jones Field, were 
fired upon by artillery. We advanced across the field and came within 
range of the enemy's musketry. At about the first fire Abner Corriell 
was wounded and I was ordered by Captain Palmer to take him off the 
field, which I did. We came under fire soon after 10 o'clock. The events 
of that morning are fresh in my memory. 

JOSLIN HAVER. 

(Verified.) 



(PETER KIENE.) 
State of Iowa 

County of Dubuque 

I, Peter Klene, being first duly sworn, on oath depose and say: 

That I was a member of Company E, 16th Iowa Volunteers, and was 
at the battle of Shiloh. On the morning of April 6th, 1'862, our regi- 
ment was in line at the Landing waiting for orders, and, as near ^ I 
can remember it, it has always been my belief that we moved under 
orders at about 9 o'clock, marching first on one of the main roads and 
then through some timber until we reached an open field, through which 
we started to march under directions of an aide, and were fired on by 
a Confederate battery just as soon as we came within range of same. 

We entered the field not later than 10:00 a. m., took our position 
on same, and were under fire over one hour, and retired from the field 
between 11 and 12 o'clock. 

PETER KIENE. 

(Verified.) 



39 

(CHARLES MEHL.) 

State ot Iowa : 

:ss. 
Dubuque County : 

Charles Mehl. being first duly sworn, says: 

That he was a member of Company G of the 16th Regiment Iowa 
Volunteer Infantry, and was in the battle of Shiloh. Our regiment left 
Pittsburg Landing about 9 o'clock on Sunday morning, April 6, 1S62, 
and marched hurriedly about two miles and we entered what is now 
known as .lones Field, not later than 10 o'clock a. m. While we were 
crossing this field we were engaged by the enemy and when we were 
first fired upon it was somewhere between 10 and 10:30, and we fought 
there for more than an hour. I have recently talked with .five other 
members of my company and they all agree that we were in the fight 
not later than 10:30, and I have also refreshed my memory by a letter 
written home a few days afterwards, which states that we began our 
march from Pittsburg Landing. 

CHARLES MEHL. 

(Verified.) 

(W. H. THRIFT.) 
State of Iowa 

County of Dubuque 

\V. H. Thrift, being duly sworn, on oath says: 

That he was a member of Company D, 16th Iowa Volunteers, ai;d 
took part with his regiment in the battle of Shiloh, 

Our regiment formed at Pittsburg Landing. Marched through tim- 
ber between one and two miles, entered an open field, and was in the 
flght before 11 o'clock a. m., Sunday, April 6, 1862. 

W. H. THRIFT. 



(Verified. 



State of Iowa 



(JULIUS WIEDNER.) 



Dubuque County 

Julius Wiedner. being first duly sworn, upon his oath deposes and 
says: 

That he was a member of Company G, 16th Iowa Volunteers, and 
was at the battle of Shiloh. 

I remember very well the arrival of our regiment at Pittsburg 
Landing, and how we formed in line April 6, 1862, and marched to the 
front; that we entered an open field and first received fire from the 
enemy not later than 10 a. m., April 6, 1862. 

JULIUS WIEDNER. 

(Verified.) 



40 



(AUGUST FLECHSIG.) 



State of Iowa 



Dubuque County : 

August Flechsig, being duly sworn, on oath says: 

That he was a member of Company G, 16th Iowa Volunteers, and 
was at the battle of Shlloh. 

In regard to the time when our regiment was first engaged in the 
battle, my firm and positive recollection is that it was at or about 10 
a. m., April 6, 1862. 

AUGUST FLECHSIG. 

(Verified.) 



(THEODORE MIKESCH.) 



State of Iowa 



Dubuque County : 

Theodore Mikesch, being first duly sworn, on oath deposes and says : 

That he was a member of Company G, 16th Iowa Volunteers, and 
was at the battle of Shiloh. 

On the morning of April 6, 1862, our regiment formed at the Land- 
ing and the battle having opened we were marched to the front. The 
most of our march was through timber. At length we reached an open 
field, were fired on by artillery and, advancing, came within range of 
the enemy's musketry. We were first fired on not later thai| 10 a. m. 

THEODORE MIKESCH. 

(Verified.) i 



State of Iowa 



(JOHN KLINE.) 



ss. 



Dubuque County 

John Kline, being first duly sworn, on oath says: 

That he was a member of Company G, 16th Iowa Volunteers, and 
was at the battle of Shiloh. 

In regard to the time when our regiment was first engaged in the 
battle, my firm and positive recollection is that it was at or about 10 
a. m., April 6, 1862. 

JHON KLINE. 

(Verified.) 



41 

(BALTHASER KNOEPFEL.) 

State of Missouri : 

:ss. 
City and County of St. Louis 

Balthaser Knoepfel. being first duly sworn, upon his oath says he is 
a member of Company F, 16th Iowa Infantry Volunteers, and was in the 
battle of Shiloh. Between 8 and 9 o'clock on the morning of April 6, 
1862, the 16th Iowa marched from the bluffs at Pittsburg Landing in 
the direction where the firing was going on. It was not long until we 
could hear the musketry by volleys. About 9:30 a. m. we halted, and 
came to a front for a short time only, and here Captain M. Zetler of 
Company K, and J. R. Young, of Company F, received their mortal 
wounds, but we did not do any firing. Again we moved by the right 
flank until we reached the Jones Field (I have always called it the cot- 
ton field), and there we halted twice and were continuously uijder fire, 
mostly artillery but some musketry. After the second halt in the Jones 
Field, we moved by the left flank a short distance to the left and took 
our final stand, the 15th Iowa being to our left. Here we were fired 
upon by a battery and rebel infantry. Our work began and lasted, 
according to my recollection, about an hour, until our line towards the 
right was broken and we were ordered to fall back into the timber 
where we made another stand. This fight in the Jones Field, accord- 
ing to my recollection and my diary, began between 10 and 10:30 a. 
m., on April 6th. 

BALTHASER KNOEPFEL. 

(Verified.) 



(JEFFERSON GILDEA.) ) 

State of Iowa : 

:ss. 
Boone County : 

Jefferson Gildea, being first duly sworn, on oath deposes and says: 

That he was a member of Company D, 16th Iowa Volunteers, and 
was at the battle of Shiloh. 

On the morning of April 6, 1862, our regiment formed at Pittsburg 
Landing, and marched to the front. We were conducted through the 
timber to an open field, and there received the first fire from the 
enemy. This was at or about 10 a. m. 

JEFFERSON GILDEA. 

(Verified.) 



42 
(PETER GETTERT.) 



State of Iowa 



Muscatine County 

Peter Gettert, being duly sworn, upon oath says: 

Tliat he was a member of Company C, 16th Iowa Volunteers, and 
was at the battle of Shiloh. 

My recollection of the battle and of the time we were first engaged 
is very clear. Company C had fallen in for a drill under George W. 
Keckler, when Captain Palmer came up and gave orders for the com- 
pany to fall in with the regiment and prepare for battle. This we did 
and the regiment marched to the battle ground. Just as we were about 
to engage in battle and while under flre of the enemy I looked at my 
watch to see the time of day it was, and I distinctly remember that it 
was then 10:30 a. m. by my watch. This was April 6, 1862. 

PETER GETTERT. 

(Verified.) 

(GEORGE B. M'COSH.) 

City and County of St. Louis : 

:ss. 
State of Missouri : 

George E. McCosh, being first duly sworn, upon his oath says: 
That he is now a resident of the City of St. Louis. That at the 
time of the battle of Shiloh, Tenn., he was Adjutant of the 16th Iowa 
Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Alexander Chambers commanding. The 
16th Iowa arrived at Pittsburg Landing, according to my recollection, 
on Friday, April 4, 1862, between 5 and 7 o'clock p. m. On the way up 
the river the boat had landed at Savanah and General Grant had given 
Colonel Chambers an order assigning the regiment to General Prentiss' 
division. Saturday, the 5th of April, was spent in unloading arms, 
ammunition, stores, etc. This work was not completed until dark that 
night. About 4 o'clock Colonel Chambers received an order from Gen- 
eral Prentiss to remain at the LR.nding and join him on Sunua,y morning 
in time for inspection about 9 o'clock. About 6:30 a. m., April 6th, an 
orderly reported that General Prentiss was hotly engaged and his head- 
quarters had moved. General Chambers then ordered the ammunition 
unboxed and distributed sixty rounds per man. About 8:45 the regi- 
ment was formed, and my recollection is that about 9:00 a. m. General 
Grant and his staff passed, going to the front. An officer from his 
staff, Colonel Webster, as I remember, ordered the formation of a pro- 
visional brigade of the 15th and 16th Iowa, under the command of 
Colonel Reid, and that we move forward a short distance to act as 
reserve. About 9:30 o'clock we were ordered into the firing line, the 
15th Iowa on the right. About two miles out we came to a cotton field. 



43 

which I understand has since been known as the Jones Field (this field 
was just in rear of camp of 11th Iowa Inf), which was crossed in column 
of fours. When partially across the 15th formed line of battle by filing 
to the right and the 16th came into line by the order ' On the left by 
file into line." This difficult movement was accomplished without any 
confusion. We were then three-fourths of the way across the field and 
Colonel Chambers sent me back to bring up a few (ten or fifteen) men 
who were assisting the wounded, as he needed every man able to be on 
the firing line. The line of battle was just beyond the cotton field. It 
was ten minutes past 10 o'clock a. m. when the regiment reached the 
edge of this field, and I do not think ten minutes more were consumed 
in crossing the field and forming a line of battle. After accomplishing 
the duty for which I was detached, I rejoined Colonel Chambers at the 
line of battle. We were in action an hour or more, during which time 
my horse was shot and I was dismounted. Then came the order to fall 
back, as the enemy had broken through the line to the right of the 15th. 
After recrossing the cotton field the regiment passed down into a ravine 
and up the opposite slope. Here I met Colonel Reid and he ordered me 
to assist in reforming the line of battle, and later in the day the brigade 
supported a battery. The report of the 16th Iowa in this action was 
written by Colonel Chambers and I made a copy of it, and I know it is 
substantially correct respecting the time the regiment began firing. I 
cannot be mistaken with respect to the fact that 15th and 16th Iowa 
were engaged by the enemy on this field, or at its edge, somewhere be- 
tween 10 and 10:30 a. m., on April 6th, and that they held fhelr places 
in a hot fight for more than an hour. 

GEO. E. M'COSH. 
(Verified.) 



(CHARLES W. KEPLER.) 



State of Iowa 



ss. 



Linn County 

I. Charles W. Kepler, late Captain of Company A, 13th Iowa In- 
fantry, Veteran Volunteers, being first duly sworn, on my oath say: 
That I was a member of Company A, 13th Iowa Infantry, and was 
present with my regiment during the battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7, 
1862. That at the time of said battle I was acting as Orderly Sergeant 
of my company. That prior to the time of the commencement of the 
battle, April 6, 1862, my regiment was encamped on the Jones Field. 
That our first line of battle was formed in front of Review Field, at 
which point the reg'ment first engaged the enemy. That during the 
forenoon of said d^y we were ordered to fall back several times in 
the direction of Jones Field. I remember distinctly of hearing musketry 
and artillery firing on our right and rear in the direction of, or on, or 



44 

about the Jones Field between the hours of 10 and 11 o'clock a. m., of 
said day. I remember this fact because myself and a number of my 
comrades were talking about the fighting at the, time being in our old 
camp, and that all our camp and our effects would be destroyed or 
captured. 

CHARLES W. KEPL:gR. 
(Verified.) 



You now have before you the positive, affirmative, testi- 
mony, sustaining the contention of the Iowa Commission and 
the survivors of these regiments. If it were necessary I be- 
lieve that I could procure the affidavits of every hving man 
belonging to these regiments, who fought at Shiloh, l)ut I must 
believe that wliatever contemporaneous reports, supported by 
linman memory can prove, the reports and the affidavits now 
submitted will pn;ve. It is impossible for me to conceive that 
there can be substantial error in this accumulation of evi- 
dence. I beg to call your attention to some of the points of 
strength which particulary impress me. I am not so techni- 
cal as General Ainsworth, nor do I believe that one who seeks 
for the truth can weigh testimony as he does. He had, how- 
ever, but a tithe of the proof before him which I now submit 
to you. 

In considering the force of what I have laid before you do 
not forget that I am not attempting to establish that the en- 
gagement began exactly at lo, 10:15, or 10:30. With respect 
tc minutes there is that wholesome variation in the recollection 
of these witnesses and in the statements in these reports which 
is the highest criterion of absolute honesty and independence 
on the part of the witnesses. But with respect to the general 
])roposition that the two regiments fought in the forenoon, 
beginning about tai and that their engagement closed some- 
where between 12 and 12:30 there is perfect unanimity. I 



45 

jiress this upmi you because you are a lawyer and }'ou under- 
stand better tban the non-professional man can. liow coniplete 
llie test is. I have presented, in addition to the reports 
sixty-two affidavits. They are made by men wlio have 
not only i)ro\-ed their loyahy and courage in war, Init 
Ibeir worthiness in peace. To hold that these men are not to 
be believed is to impeach a multitude of our best citizens. It 
cannot be said that so many men are mistaken with respect 
to tlie central and pivotal point about which the dispute has 
arisen. 1 venture the assertion that there is no court in Christ- 
endom and no jury e\er impaneled that could resist the pro- 
l/ative effect of what these men unitedly say. As I have al- 
ready suggested, we are not trying to determine the precise 
moment at which these two regiments engaged the enemy. 
The controversy assumes a definite fonn which may be thus 
expressed, without regard to minutes. It is agreed by all who 
c\er had occasion to liecome f.amiliar with the Battle of Shiloh 
that the fight Ijegan early in the morning. It is perfectly well 
known that when McClernand's and Sherman's divisions were 
first engaged, their line of battle was a mile in advance of the 
Jones field. It is known also that gradually during the fore- 
noon the line was forced back toward the river, and I have 
no hesitation in admitting that the general line of battle, in 
its retiring movement, did not reach the Jones field until noon 
or afternoon. It is the theory of the National Commission, 
and of General Ainswortli that these two Iowa regiments did 
not reach the Jones field until about twelve o'clock, and then 
engaged the enemy as a part of the general battle line, and 
fought with their fellow soldiers of McClernand's and Sher- 
man's divisions. On the other hand our claim is that the 15th 



46 

and 1 6th fought a force of confederates who had broken 
through the battle Hne between McClernand's right and Sher- 
man's left. That the fight occured a half mile or more in the 
rear of the general line, and that there were no other Union 
troops in the immediate vicinity during the engagement. You 
will thus obserx'e that the dispute is more essential and funda- 
mental than the mere cjuestion of minutes. It resolves itself 
into the part which these regiments played in the tragedy ; and 
although these regiments lost, the one, ig6 and the other 132 
men, and although the dead were buried on the spot the evi- 
dence upon which the National Commission and General 
Ainsworth rely to fix the engagement in the afternoon might 
just as well be invoked to establish the proposition that they 
were not in the fight at all. I will defer the consideration 
of the reports until I come to reveiw General Ainsworth's 
findings. I only desire at this time to bring to your notice 
some of the statements in the affidavits. 

Nearly every man makes prominent one fact, namely, that 
while they were marching across the Jones field, without 1 
thought of meeting the enemy at that point, they were fired 
upon — as many of them express it, they were ambushed — sur- 
prised, and made their battle formation under the fire of both 
artillery and musketry. Is this consistent with the idea that 
they were simply marched into the general retreating line of 
the two divisions and became a part of a large force endeavor- 
ing to withstand the assaults of the general confederate aiiny? 
Does it not show conclusively that long before the regiments 
had reached the point where they expected to join McClernand, 
the attack from which they suffered occured? Many of them 
remember distinctly that the band was playing, and one or 



47 

two nt them rememher tlie tunc to wliich the\' were listening 
when they received the tirst shot. 

Mr. Thatcher, then a private soIcUer, but afterwards Cap- 
tain of Company K. says he was wounded aboitt eleven o'clock 
hut remained in the rear of his company and regiment until 
they hegan to fall hack. That his brother came to his aid and 
accompanied liim to the hospital boat at the landing, which 
he reached, he thinks, by 12:30. certainly not later than one 
o'clock. 

W'm. W. Estabrooke, who was Chaplain but acted as Sur- 
geon during the fight, says he treated the wound which Colonel 
Chamljers of the i6th received, and that while he cannot state 
the e.xact time, he is iKJsiti\'e it was not later than 12 o'clock 
when he dressed the wound. 

It will be remembered that Colonel Reid. who. although 
wounded, remained with his regiment until it was ordered 
hack. John S. Bosworth. who was a member and drummer 
of Company K. 15th Iowa, says he went with Colonel Reid 
to the boat, holding him on his horse, and that he reached the 
boat not later than one o'clock. 

William P. L. Muir. who was a sergeant of Company E, 
15th Iowa, says : 

" After we were ordered back from our first position and had 
retreated a short distance I consulted Captain William T. Cunning- 
ham as to the time of day. His watch showed it to be 12:25 p. m. I 
give the above dates from my dairy, kept clear through the war. I did 
not carry a watch at the time, but consulted those who did as to the 
time." 

In a former part of his affidavit he declares that while 
marching across the ojien field about 10:30. A. M. the fight 
began. 

S. Rynearson. who afterwards commanded Company C, 



48 

of the 15th Iowa, but at the time of the battle was sergeant 

in Company C, says : 

" Just as we entered the field I looked at my watch. It was 10 
o'clock. I looked at m> watch again when we fell back, and it was 
12:10. I make this statement on my oath, of my own personal knowl- 
edge. I wrote the same fact home to my father at the time. The 15th 
Iowa Infantry was engaged in the battle, April 6, 1862, two hours and 
ten minutes, from 10 a. m. until 12:10 p. m." 

Job Throckmorton, who at the time was 2nd Lieutenant 

Company P, 15th Iowa, was officer of the day and was left 

at Pittsburg Landing in charge of the camp and garrison 

equipage of the regiment, with orders to unload the boat upon 

which the regiment had arrived. He says : 

" The regiment marched toward the front between 8 and 9 o'clock 
a. m., of said day, and between 10 and 11 a. m. a number of the wounded 
men of our regiment were brought back to the boat." 

I feel sure you will give especial attention to the affidavit 
of Lieutenant-Colonel Addison H. Sanders, of the i6th Iowa. 
Colonel Chambers, as has been already stated, was wounded 
toward the close of the fight, and Lietitenant-Colonel Sanders 
ar-sumed command. After detailing the march to the field, 
and the engagement, he says: 

" I have always had a distinct recollection of this event — my first 
introduction into battle. The time was about 10 a. m., April 6, 1862, in 
no event was it later than 10:30." 

Leo Schumacher was 2nd Lieutenant of Company G, i6th 
Iowa, and he says : 

"I can give the correct time when we went into action on Sunday 
morning, April 6th, as 1 have kept a record of every day's doings of my 
company and regiment. The 16th Iowa went into battle at 10 a. m., and 
about 12, m., the regiment was forced to retire. At 3 p. m. the reigi- 
ment was again in battle supporting Schwartz's battery, until about 6 
o'clock, when the battle stopped for the day. I know these things to 
be true, not only from memory, but because I kept a record of it." 



49 

I must not enlarge this argument liy furtlier specific ref- 
erences. I beg a carefnl reading of all the affidavits. With- 
init exception they <leclare that their fighting began at from 
lo to 10:30 in the forenoon, and many of the statements 
are replete with detail which compels Ijelief in their accnracy. 
With all of these men this was their first battle. Many of 
them were wounded, many of them had friends killed or cap- 
tured. Taking them all together, he who asserts that these 
regiments fought with other regiments in the general line o5 
battle, in the afternoon when McClernand's and Sherman's 
divisions had been forced back to the Jones field, must either 
have repudiated all \irtue in human character or abandoned 
all confidence in human memor_\-, no matter how impressive 
the circumstances w hich engraved the e\ents upon the mind. 
There is one aflida\it. that of Charles W. Kepler, which pre- 
sents the situation from the point of view occupied by a 
soldier in another regiment. Mr. Kepler at the time of the 
battle was orderly sergeant of Company A, 13th Iowa. The 
13th Iowa was uix>n McClernand's extreme right. Company 
.\ was on the right of the regiment, and the orderly sergeant 
on the right of the company. Hence, Mr. Kepler was as 
near Sherman's left as any soldier in the division. He says: 

■■ Prior to the time of the commencement of the battle, April 6, 1862, 
my regiment was encamped on the Jones Field. Our first line of battle 
was formed in front of Review Field, at which point the regiment first 
engaged the enemy. During the forenoon of said day we were ordered 
to fall back several times in the direction of the Jones Field. I remem- 
ber distinctly of hearing musketry and artillery firing on our right 
and rear in the direction of, or on, or about the Jones FielH, between 
the hours of 10 and 11 o'clock a. m. of said day. I remember this fact 
because myself and a number of my comrades were talking about the 
fighting at the time being in our old camp, and that our camp and all 
our effects would be destroyed of captured." 



so 

This corroborates the view tliat a confederate force had 
broken through between Sherman and Mc Clernand and had 
met tlie two Iowa regiments as they were passing to the front. 
I submit that unless there be evidence of the most conckisive 
character to the contrary, you must accept this overwhehning 
array of proof respecting the time and place of the fight in 
which the 15th and i6th Iowa Infantry Volunteers took part. 
and wiiich their regimental monuments are- intended to com- 
memorate. 

I turn now to a brief examination of the reports made by 
(jcneral Ainsworth. for it is in these reports that the case 
niade against the regiments is presented. I pass over all the 
minor points of difference, for I doubt not that once we have 
settled the chief controversy, we can very easily agree upon the 
inscription. 

The cpiestion of time is considered in paragraph 1 1 of the 
report. General Ainsworth says: 

"A careful and laborious examination and comparison of the other 
official records in connection with Colonel Reid's report has resulted in 
the unqualified conviction that he is in error In his statement of time. 
That accuracy upon this point by Colonel Reid is absolutely incompati- 
ble with the mutually corroborative accounts of all other reports of the 
battle of Shiloh, with the single exception of that of Colonel Chambers, 
of the Kith Iowa. The Confederate reports clearly and conclusively 
prove that no Confederate force reached the Jones field until about 
noon, and in this they are corroborated by the Union reports. The 
Union reports fail to disclose that any Confederate troops reached the 
vicinity of the Jones Field until the Union line retired thereto about 
noon. There was no gap of any material size occasioned by the break- 
ing of Hildebrand's brigade, and any Confederate troops endeavoring to 
pass through between Sherman and McClernand were undoubtedly 
promptly checked. Colonel Reid reports that when he came on the field 
the enemy were concealed ' among tents from which other regiments 
had been driven earlier in the day,' and that the 15th Iowa fought the 
enemy ' in a position from which more experienced troops had been com- 
pelled to retire.' It will be noted that if other troops had already been 



SI 

driven from the tents before he arrived, and he fought in a position 
from which more experienced troops had been compelled to retire, and 
if he fought there from 10 to 12, there must have been fighting there 
at least half an hour before he arrived, or, in other words, if Reid is 
correct, the fighting at that place by the preceding troops must have 
been done as early as 9:30, indeed as ' more experienced troops ' would 
not probably have " been compelled to retire ' without a hard struggle, 
it would logically follow that the enemy must have commenced fight- 
ing there at 9 o'clock, or shortly thereafter; and there must, of course, 
have been Union regiments there, sustaining the attack. But it is a 
fact that not a single Union or Confederate division, brigade, or regi- 
mental commander mentions such an action. Every Union regiment is 
accounted for, and not a single one could have been engeged there at 
such an early hour, nor, indeed, until about noon. 

■' It is concluded that the 15th Iowa was ordered to the front about 
10 a. m., as stated upon the muster roll of Company B for March and 
April, 1862, signed by Captain Wilson T. Smith, commanding company; 
that owing, first to being led in the wrong direction, and, then, to the 
circuity and obstruction of the route traversed, it did not reach the 
Jones Field until nearly if not quite noon. At this time McClernand 
and Sherman were being driven back upon the Jones Field, McClern- 
and's troops being driven from the last of the Second Brigade tents, 
near the Jones Field, just before the arrival of the 15th Iowa. This 
regiment, supported by the 16th Iowa, appears to have been at once 
thrown against the enemy with good effect, driving them back from 
the tents, as described by Colonel Reid's report; and a general forward 
movement was then made by McClernand's line, by which he succeeded, 
as he says in his report, in driving the enemy back for some distance. 
It is believed that the 15th Iowa held its advanced position for from 
one to two hours. Colonel Reid says for two hours; Colonel Chambers, 
16th Iowa, in his report, says, ' for nearly, if not quite, au hour;' and 
Colonel Reid says that the two regiments retired together. 

'• As to this point of difference, it is recommended that the language 
of the approved inscription be adhered to, and that the particular hour 
be not specified." 

In liis ve\)on respecting the i6th Jowa. General Ainsworth' 
uses die same language, relies upon tiie same facts and 
readies tlie same conclusions and therefore it is not necessary 
1(1 reproduce it. 

In firder to con\ict Colonel Reid of error. General Ains- 
worth seizes upon tliat part of his report which states that 
when he came upon the field, the enemy were concealed 



"among tents from wliicli other regiments had lieen driven 
earlier in the day;" that the 15th Iowa fonght the enemy "in 
a position from which more experienced troops had been com- 
pelled ti) retire." and comments upon it in a way that does 
not create a pleasant impression among the people of a state 
who are proud of Colonel Reid's record in the war and have 
enconfidence in his u]3prightness of character. It may 
he that Coliinel Reid was mistaken in saying that 
other regiments had been dri\'en from the tents earlier 
ill the (lav. It is apparent upon the face of the report 
that this statement was made U])on information, and not from 
personal observation. It is one of the connecting linkks in 
the history of the regiment for that day, and is of no impor- 
tance whatever in the present dispute. Colonel Reid did not 
use the two phrases together. He employed the first in de- 
scribing the movements of the regiment and the second in 
complimenting or praising his own lioys. I am not to be 
understood as admitting that there had jjeen no engagement 
on the Jones field earlier in the day, but I do not inquire into 
it, simply because it is not pertinent to the investigation I 
am making. I do know, however, that all the way from the 
ri\er to the Jones field, the 15th and i6th Iowa had been met 
by retreating men who had passed from the front, wherever 
it was, over the Jones field to the rear, and I can easily un- 
derstand hdw Coldiiel Reid (obtained the impression that the 
confederates which he found around the Jones field had driven 
these troops from the tents. The Secretary of War has lieen 
too long engaged in trials of fact to attach any importance 
ti:. this error, if it be an error, and he will not fail to dis- 
tinguish the ditTerence between a statement, plainly made from 



S3 

inference, and information, and the statetnent of a fact of 

]}ersonaI knowledge respecting a movement of wliicli Colonel 

Reid was a part. 

The portion of General .Vinsworth's findings which is 

vital and tMuches the point is. that there was no fighting about 

or on the Jones field until noon, and 1 now proceed to his 

conclusions upon that subject. He says: 

"The Confederate reports clearly and conclusively prove that no 
Confederate force reached the Jones Field until about noon, and in this 
they are corroborated by the Union reports." 

I ha\-e not examined the Confederate reports with 
tb.ocoughness, but 1 ha\e examined them sufficiently to know 
that they do show that there were Confederate forces some- 
wiiere in the rear of the general Uiuon line before noon. 
Colonel Trabue, commanding the 4th- Kentucky Brigade, re- 
ports, on page 613-jT of the x'olume to which I have already 
referred, that he had a fight at 9:30 in the morning on the 
\-erge of a long crescent shaped open field, about a mile and 
;■ half from Pittsburg Landing, and that he fought there for 
an hour and a quarter. That the field showed marks of re- 
cent conflict, but if you will exanfine the map approved by 
tlie National Commission, it will appear that Trabue's posi- 
tion at 9 130 was near the Jones field. 1 have examined with 
painstaking care, the reports of General Grant who command- 
ed the army, the reports of General Prentiss, McClemand and 
Sherman, as well as the rej^irts of many other officers, and T 
affirm that there is nothing in any of these reports inconsis- 
tent with tiie presence of Confederate troops in the vicinity 
<d" Jones field about 10 o'clock in the forenoon. On the con- 
trary, there are many things in these reports which support 
the positive prix>f which we ha\e offered. Nearlv every re- 



54 

port shows that sometime during the forenoon some regiment 

or brigade was compelled to change from front to rear in 

order to repel an assault from the rear. General McCler- 

nand says on page 115: 

" The situation of the Third Brigade at this juncture was most 
critical. General Prentiss' and Sherman's divisions had retired, leav- 
ing the brigade exposed to combined attack. The enemy in front were 
recovering from the disorder of his repulse and the forces of Beauregard 
and Polk were sweeping around on the right and left." 

Again he says on page 116: 

" Our resistance, however, was overborne by superior numbers 
which still continued to flank the right of my line." 

Again on the same page : 

" Wholly unsupported on the left and outflanked on the right by 
increasing numbers, to save my command from being surrounded I 
ordered it to fall back about 200 yards and reform at right angle with 
the center of my camp." 

General Sherman says, on page 249 : 

" I saw at once that the enemy designed to pass my left flank and 
fall upon Generals McClernand and Prentiss, whose line of camps was 
almost parallel with the Tennessee River and about two miles back 
from it. Very soon the sound of musketry and artillery announced that 
General Prentiss was engaged, and about 9 a. m. I judged that he was 
falling back. About this time Appier's regiment broke in disorder, soon 
followed by fugitives from Mungen's regiment, and the enemy jtfessed 
forward on Waterhouse's battery, thereby exposed." 

Appier's and Munger's regiments were in Hildebrand's 
brigade, and this brigade held the left of Sherman's line. 
The importance of this will be seen as I quote further. 

" Although our left was thus turned and the enemy was pressing on 
the whole line, I deemed Shiloh so important that I remained by it, 
and renewed orders to Colonels McDowell and Buckland to hold their 
ground, and we did hold those positions till about 10 o'clock a. m., when 
the enemy got his artillery to the rear of our left flank and some 
change became absolutely necessary. Two regiments of Hildebrand's 
Brigade — Appier's and Mungen's — had already disappeared to the rear, 
and Hildebrand's own regiment was in disorder, and therefore I gave 



ss 

direction for Taylor's Battery, still at Shiloh, to fall back as far as the 
Purdy and Hamburg road and for McDowell and Buckland to adopt that 
road as their new line." 

Again on page 250: 

" Hildebrand's brigade had substantially disappeared from the field, 
though he himself bravely remained. McDowell's and BucMand's 
Brigades still retained their organization, and were conducted by my 
aides so as to join on General McClemand's right, thus abandoning my 
original camps and line. This was about 10:30 a. m., at which Kme the 
enemy had made a furious attack on General McClernand's whole 
front." 

Many other extracts could l>e made which bear upon the 
same general situation. 1 \ery earnestly submit that, in view 
of the iK>sitive and uncontradicted testimony of so many of 
the survivors of these regiments, the reports of their Colonels, 
and the conditions of the battle when Sherman's left disap- 
peared entirely and McClernand's right was completely turn- 
ed when the rebel artillery was in the rear, the assertion that 
there could have been no Confederate troops in the vicinity 
of the Jones Held between 10 and 11 o'clock, is simply a 
flight of the imagination and is intended to make symmet- 
rical that which in fact was as irregular as any battle in the 
history of wars. 

1 approach the discussion from another standpoint. 
Neither the Xational Commission nor General Ainsworth 
(luestion the fact thai the 1 5tb and 16th Lnva had a fight 
of the bli" (best character sometime between 10 o'clock in the 
forenoon and 2 .^o o'clock in the afternoon. This could not 
well be denied for each command lost more men than many 
a regiment that was engaged throughout the entire day. Nor 
is it doubted that the fight took place in the Jones field and 
along its borders. This is manifest because the regimental monu" 
mcnts have lieen there l(Tcated under a rule that fixes the regi- 



S6 

mental monument at or near the most advanced position of the 
regiment, occupied during the battle. Let us now examine the 
proposition involved in the findings of General Ainsworth, 
which as I understand it is. that at about noon, when McCler- 
nand's and Sherman's lines had been beaten back to the 
Jones field, the 15th and i6th Iowa came upon the ground 
and reinforced the line and thus became a part of the fight 
v;hich these two generals and their divisions carried on for 
the next few hours. If this be true, what consequences should 
have followed? If the 15th and i6th Iowa joined McCler- 
nand's forces, then they succeeded in doing precisely what 
they started from the Landing to do; that is, re-inforce 
McClernand. If they thus became attached to his division 
and fought with it. it must be that he knew it, and yet you 
will look in vain in his long, descriptive report for a single 
reference to or mention of these two regiments. If they 
joined Sherman's division and became a part of his force 
and f I night in his line, there certainly would be seme report 
of it. for no man ever needed re-inforcements more than Sher- 
man as his line of battle rolled back over the Jones field: but 
there is not in his report a suggestfon that these regiments 
look any part whatever in the fight that he was making. They 
are referred to in his report, and so far as I have been able 
to ascertain this is the only glimpse we catch of them in any 
account of the battle except in the reports of their own Colo- 
nels. On page 250 of the volume from which I have frequent- 
ly quoted General Sherman is explaining the condition of 
affairs about 10:30, and then follows this remark: 

" While we were so hardly pressed two Iowa regiments approached 
from the rear but could not be brought up to the severe fire that was 
raging in our front." 



S7 

It this does not sliow with certainty that these regiments 
did not figlit in his hne I am unable to grasp the meaning of 
words. Tlierefore the reports of McClernand and Sherman 
show beyond dispute tliat if the 15th and i6th were in any 
iight at all it was not one of which these two distinguished 
generals had knowledge. 

There is another thought which seems to have escaped 
General Ainsworth. He agrees that these regiments did meet 
the enemy on Jones field or near its border ; that a fierce fight 
ensued and that they held their position for from one to two 
hours. He has approved those parts of the inscriptions which 
^•0 state. Bearing these things in mind, I assert that every 
report showing the movements of McClernand's and Sher- 
man's divisions, or any part of them, denies the proposition 
that these regiments or any of the Union forces held their 
positions on Jones field for two hours or for one hour after 
the line of battle had fallen back to that point. General 
Sherman says, page 250, that the position which he took 
at 10:30, -A. M., which was at least half a mile from the 
Jones field, was not changed substantially until four in the 
afternoon. He e.xpresses it thus : 

" Hildebrand's Brigade had substantially disappeared from the field, 
though he himself bravely remained. McDowell's and Buckland's 
Brigades still retained their organization, and were conducted by my 
aides so as to join on General McClernand's right, thus abandoning my 
original camps and line. This was about 10:30 a. m., at which time 
the enemy had made a furious attack on General McClernand's whole 
front. Finding him pressed I moved McDowell's Brigade directly 
against the left flank of the enemy, forced him back some distance, and 
then directed the men to avail themselves of every cover — trees, fallen 
timber, and a wooded valley to our right. We held this position for 
four long hours, sometimes gaining and at other times losing ground, 
General McClernand and myself acting in perfect concert, and strug- 
gling to maintain this line." 



S8 

He then continues that about four in the afternoon he fell 
back and took a position with a clear field, about two hundred 
yards wide in his immediate front, and there remained during 
the rest of the day. L'nless, therefore, Jones field was held 
by these regiments for two hours in the forenoon, they never 
lield it, because wlien it again became the scene of conflict in 
the afternoon, it was not until after four o'clock, and then 
the Union troops were on the side nearest the river and they 
consisted of all that remained of ]\IcC]ernand's and Sherman's 
divisions. 

I have looked with unusual diligence in all the reports to 
which 1 ha\-e had access for anything that conflicts with the 
reports of Colonels Reid and Chambers, and the sixty-two 
affidavits now presented to you, and while I readily grant thar 
there are manv discrepancies and inconsistencies easilv dis- 
covered in comparing the reports, there is nothing anywhere 
that is repugnant to our claim, except one fugitive statement 
which I have never seen, but which General Ainsworth says 
is on the muster roll of Companv B, 15th Iowa, to the effect 
that tlie regiment was ordered to the front about 10 A. M. 
If this statement exists, it must have been made many days 
after the liattle and bv one who had no authorit}' to make it. 
It cannot be that this memorandum can have the effect of 
over-riding the official reports of Colonels Reid and Chambers 
and the independent recollection of every man in the two 
regiments who has been asked to give a history of the battle. 
Nor does the memorandum necessarih- Ijear the construction 
j)ut upon it. As cpioted bv General .\insworth, it is "at 10 
A. M." the compan\- "marched with the regiment two and 
one-half miles tiiward Shiloh Church and engaged the enemy 



S9 

for two hours." It can be just as well construed to mean 
that the enemy \\'as engaged at ten o'clock as that they start- 
ed on their march at ten o'clock. 

I rest content in the plenitude of the proof submitted, 
saying only further that the reports of the Colonels, upon 
wiiich I so much rely, passed, first, to General McClernand, 
and then to Gaieral Grant, and with their implied approval, 
srood unchallenged for nearly forty years as the true accounts 
of the noble part borne by these regiments in one of the most 
important battles of the war. 

I hope to be gi\-en the opportunity of presenting the case 
in person, and therefore will not enlarge this paper, already 
more voluminous than I had hoped it would be. 
Respectfully submitted, 

ALBERT B. CUMMINS, 

Governor of Iowa. 



